Effects of Combined Treatments of Entomopathogenic and Opportunistic Soil Fungi on Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The interactions of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and 3 other opportunistic soil fungi Purpureocillium lilacinum, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus isolated from the soil in Isparta, Turkey were evaluated under laboratory conditions against 4th instar larvae of Galleria mellonella (L.). The fungi were applied individually as well as in combinations. The second species was applied at simultaneously and 24 hrs after application of the first species. All entomopathogenic fungui (EPF) were pathogenic to G. mellonella larvae.The efficacies of B. bassiana (4th day, 80.0%) and M. anisopliae (461 day, 80.0%) were significantly enhanced to (93.3%) at the same day of application with each other and declined lethal time. Sequential application of B. bassiana and M anisopliae, one day after each other did not show differences in larval mortality and lethal time. However, negative effects were observed in the combinations of EPF with other opportunistic and/or saprophytic fungi. Application of P. lilacinum, F. oxyspononor A. flavusprior to B. bassiana and M anisopliae caused lower mortality and prolonged lethal time.