Efficiency of Some Native Entomopathogenic Fungi against Tenebrio molitor L. (Col.: Tenebrionidae) Larvae in Soil Condition

Many entomopathogenic fungi have been commercially produced and successfully used to control pest insects. In this study, some Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae isolates were obtained from Duzce province and the efficiency of these isolates investigated against the larvae of mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor in soil condition. Isolates are mostly obtained from forest and agricultural fields. A total of 12 isolates were applied to the soil at 1x107 conidia ml-1 concentration. After the application, the soil was taken into the jars and 10 T. molitor larvae were added for 7 days. Trials were performed as three replicates for each isolate and control group. It has been found that isolates are highly effective against T. molitor larvae. B. bassiana YK14, M. anisopliae YK38 and YK45 isolates caused 100% mortality against T. molitor larvae after the application of 7 days. The efficiency of other isolates varied between 20% and 93.33%. Results showed that the effective native B. bassiana and M. anisopliae isolates can be used for the control of soil-inhabiting pest insects