Abstract
To examine the applicability of non-woven fabric strips with Beauveria bassiana conidia (NFS) to the control of Monochamus alternatus adults in southern Kyushu, we piled 1 m3 of Pinus thunbergii logs infested with M. alternatus in each of two outdoor cages, and placed 2,500 cm2 of NFS on one of these piles in May 2003. We covered each log pile with a blue vinyl sheet containing two triangular openings (the base: 50 cm, the height: 40 cm) on both cut end sides of the log piles. We captured adult beetles every day and reared them individually to determine the longevity and infection by B. bassiana. Infection by B. bassiana did not affect the average rate of food consumption. By applying NFS, the percentage of adults on which B. bassiana produced conidia increased from 2 to 34 % and the mortality rate of adults 15 days after emergence from 20 to 52 %. These mortality rates were similar to those obtained by the same application test to 0.2 m3 of logs in 2001, suggesting that the dose of NFS per log volume might determine the efficiency of B. bassiana. The mortality rate and infection rate in this study were lower than those reported in Kanto District. We discussed the problems to be solved for the improvement of the efficiency of NFS-application in southern Kyushu.
