Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana isolates from Hypsipyla robusta and Zeuzera coffeae for biological control of borer pests in Chukrasia tabularis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24425/jppr.2026.2986Abstract
Indian mahogany (Chukrasia tabularis) is vulnerable to attack by insect borers. In Vietnam, serious damage is caused by the mahogany shoot borer (Hypsipyla robusta) and the coffee borer (Zeuzera coffeae). Biological control options are desirable for the future management of these pest species. This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of seven wild indigenous Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill, 1912 (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) isolates obtained from mahogany and coffee borer larvae against the target pests. The fungi were identified by phylogenetic analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer, Large Subunit, and Translation Elongation Factor 1-alpha gene regions using sequence comparison. In laboratory tests, suspensions of B. bassiana conidia induced 71–89% mortality of H. robusta and Z. coffeae larvae after nine days. In nursery experiments, conidia were sprayed onto one-year-old C. tabularis seedlings infested with 1st instar larvae of H. robusta or Z. coffeae to confirm the pathogenicity of seven isolates. Isolates TP13, TP17, TP24, and TP46 reduced damage from H. robusta by 72–76% (P <0.001); and TP14, TP19, and TP44 reduced damage from Z. coffeae by 74–77% (P <0.001). In experiments in C. tabularis plantations, these B. bassiana isolates significantly (P <0.001) reduced the incidence of borer damage from H. robusta and Z. coffeae by 71–73% and 72–75%, respectively. These results suggest that locally adapted isolates of B. bassiana can be developed as a biocontrol tool for future integrated pest management of C. tabularis borer pests. Further research is required to identify field protocols for commercial application.
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