Pathogenicity of Three Entomogenous Fungi against Insect Pests of Sugarcane

Pathogenicity of three entomogenous fungi, Beauveria bassiana, Fusarium oxysporum and Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae were conducted against eleven different insect pests of sugarcane in the laboratory. Of these, B. bassiana was found most pathogenic to larvae of Chilo auricilius, Chilo infuscatellus and Sesamia inferens; nymphs and adults of Cavelerius sweeti, adults of Phytoscaphus sp. and Astychus lateralis, and grubs of Holotrichia consanguinea. Metarhizium anisopliae was found pathogenic to larvae of C. auricilius, C. infuscatellus and S.  inferens; adults of Phytoscaphus sp. and A. lateralis, and adults and nymphs of Pyrilla perpusilla. Fusarium oxysporum was found effective against larvae of C. auricilius, C. infuscatellus and S. inferens; and adults and nymphs of P. perpusilla.