Effect of Nostalgist BL (R) on Biology of Acanthoscelides obtectus' (Say) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Acanthoscelides obtectus, which is a pest of stored products, completes its larval development in legumes. It is among economically important species in our country since it reduces the germination value and nutritional value of seeds. As a result of understanding the effects of entomopathogenic fungi on pests in recent years, researchers have also focused on fungi in fighting pests. These fungi, which are sold as bioinsecticides in the market, are generally preferred by producers who want to engage in organic or environmentally sensitive agriculture. Although there are a large number of sources in literature on the mortality rates of Beauveria bassiana's A. obtectus, studies on the effects on the biology of the pest, the number of eggs it lays and the number of adults emerging from beans after the application are limited. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of Beauveria bassiana (Nostalgist BL (R)) on the mortality rates of A. obtectus adults, the number of eggs they lay and the number and percentages of adults emerging from bean seeds were evaluated with dipping and spraying method. It was found that as the concentration of B. bassiana, which was applied at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% increased, the mortality rates on the adults of the pest increased and the number of eggs they laid and the number of adults emerging from bean seeds decreased. It can be said that different doses of B. bassiana are quite effective on the mortality rates ofA. obtectus adults, the number of eggs they lay, and especially the number of adults emerged from beans.