Efficacy of Clonostachys rosea, as a promising entomopathogenic fungus, against coleopteran stored product insect pests under laboratory conditions

Background Efficacy of new isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Clonostachys rosea, against adult stage of the most serious coleopteran stored product insect pests in Iraq, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Two isolates of C. rosea, associated with the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulz.), were isolated and investigated. Efficacy of C. rosea isolates was evaluated by two concentrations (1 x 10(8) and 1 x 10(6) conidia ml(-1)). Results Corrected mortality rates caused by both C. rosea isolates, 6 days post-treatment, with 1 x 10(8) conidia ml(-1), ranged from 70.7 to 75.7%. Fungal infection caused 37-53% reduction in total fecundity of the adult females of the three tested insect species, 6 days post-treatment. Conclusion Obtained results demonstrated that C. rosea isolates had potentials as a biological control agent against coleopteran stored product insect pests. However, further studies under commercial storage conditions are required.