Isolation and characterization of an entomophthoralean fungus, Erynia blunckii, for biocontrol of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

Abstract

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a serious pest to many cruciferous vegetables. Several entomopathogenic fungi were collected from the larvae of P. xylostella from fields in Gifu prefecture, Japan. We obtained four isolates of the entomophthoralean fungus, Erynia blunckii, which was considered a major natural enemy to P. xylostella in Japanese radish fields in Takasu, Gifu. The character of the fungus as a biocontrol agent was investigated. These isolates showed over 20 times higher conidia production than Zoophthora radicans isolates obtained from Takasu. A dose mortality assay on the E. blunckii isolate T10A showed that the LC₅₀ value for 4th instar larva was 3.73 conidia/mm².