Asad Abdullah - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Asad Abdullah

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, Sep 27, 2023

EPPO Bulletin, 2020

Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a natural enemy of several important ... more Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a natural enemy of several important pests. This biocontrol agent is also a host for different parasitoids. Little is known about the parasitoid complex of C. septempunctata in Pakistan. The authors identified Oomyzus scaposus (Thomson, 1878) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as a larval‐pupal parasitoid of C. septempunctata in the district of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Out of 36 C. septempunctata pupae collected, 58.3% were parasitized by O. scaposus. This study documents the first record of O. scaposus parasitizing C. septempunctata in Pakistan.

JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2021

The following is a case report of a 17-day-old female baby, born at 35 weeks' gestation, weig... more The following is a case report of a 17-day-old female baby, born at 35 weeks' gestation, weighing 2.6 kg. She was brought to us with reluctance to feed, swelling over the left side of her face and a fever documented at 102oF, along with an erythematous, tender, localised swelling over the left pre-auricular region that measured 2 x 1.5 cm in size. Diagnostic workup and ultrasound findings were consistent with parotitis; however, her blood culture was negative. The patient was managed on antibiotics but subsequently, developed a nosocomial infection while she was admitted in the hospital, which prolonged her hospital stay to a total of 16 days. Nevertheless, she had complete resolution of the signs and symptoms on her follow-up visit. Acute parotitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a neonate presenting with facial swelling, reluctance to feed or incessant crying. Timely and appropriate management can result in good recovery and minimising the potential for c...

Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 2019

Quantitative studies concerning abnormalities and hemolytic activity was performed under laborato... more Quantitative studies concerning abnormalities and hemolytic activity was performed under laboratory conditions for larvae of Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Four insecticides (decarafluron 50EC, emamectin benzoate 1.9EC, chlorpyrifos 40EC and abamectin 1.8EC) were studied for the immunosuppressive activity of 5 instar larvae of S. litura. Immunosuppression was assessed by examining changes in total heamocytes count and differential heamocytes count. Newly ecdysed 5 instar larvae (normal) total heamocytes count of 1.6x10 cells/mm. But a great decline in total heamocytes count was observed by the application of decarafluron and drastically increase due to the application of abamectin. From five different types of heamocytes, proheamocytes were found the most sensitive to insecticidal stress and rupturing of the cell wall was identified as the most common abnormality. The observations suggest that insecticides are capable of inducing multiple forms of cell death i...

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 2019

Several plant species and their compounds are well-known to have some pesticidal properties again... more Several plant species and their compounds are well-known to have some pesticidal properties against a wide range of insect pests. Potential of two water plant extracts, Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach L., in comparison with the synthetic pyrethroid bifenthrin against sucking insect pests and their associated predators, as well on the yield in Bt cotton, was evaluated. The population of the sucking insect pests was found lowest in the positive control (only bifenthrin application). The A. indica extract reduced the pest population equivalent to the positive control, but the highest populations were observed in both negative controls (only water and 0.1% soap with water application). The M. azedarach did not show any harmful effect on the insect population. The predators' abundance was higher in the plots where botanicals were applied, while the lowest population was observed in the bifenthrin treatment. In comparison to the negative control (only water application), (63.4%) cotton yield was increased by the application of A. indica and (58.8%) by the application of the synthetic insecticide. Using plant extracts of A. indica to control sucking insect pests of cotton can be as effective as synthetic insecticides in terms of crop yield beside they are safer for natural enemies in the field.

Southwestern Entomologist, 2019

Abstract. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a major ... more Abstract. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a major insect pest of citrus (Citrus spp.) and some other plants related to the Rutaceae family. It is also a vector of the pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacterium associated with a serious disease of citrus plants known as Huanglongbing. Little is known about other host plants of D. citri. We documented for the first time D. citri defoliating lasora, Cordia myxa L. (Family Boraginaceae), in the southern region of the state of Punjab, Pakistan. About eight to 10 adults and 15 to 18 nymphs were observed per shoot of the lasora plant.

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 2019

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2021

Insecticidal properties of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (family: Asteraceae), an annual herb, and ... more Insecticidal properties of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (family: Asteraceae), an annual herb, and Moringa oleifera (Lam.) (family: Moringaceae), a perennial tree, were assessed against different digestibility parameters and survival rate of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Effect of different extracts (based on three extraction solvents: ethanol, methanol, and acetone) of P. hysterophorus and M. oleifera on the digestibility indices and larval mortality of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied. The extracts were tested at two different concentrations; 25 mg and 50 mg. The effect of methanol extract on S. litura larvae was greater than that of ethanol and acetone. The methanol extract of P. hysterophorus at 50 mg concentration significantly reduced the digestibility indices; 49.6% consumption rate, 80.4% growth rate, 63.9% efficiency of conversion of ingested food, 68.4% efficiency of conversion of digested food, 39.3% assimilation rate, and 12.3% approximate digestibility of S. litura larvae compared with the control (positive untreated) treatment. By using methanol extracts of P. hysterophorus at 50 mg concentration, larvae's survival rate was also found to be lower than those of other treatments. The performance of M. oleifera extracts was lower in terms of affecting the digestibility and survival of S. litura compared to P. hysterophorus. Among the two plant extracts, a higher concentration (50mg) of P. hysterophorus using methanol as a solvent represented a promising natural product for S. litura control.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Oct 1, 2017

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of neem seed extract (NSE) for the manageme... more The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of neem seed extract (NSE) for the management of Bemesia tabaci Gennadius, (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and Amrasca biguttula Ishida, (Homopter: Cicadellidae) infesting Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars. Foliar application of neem seed, Azadirachta indica extract was applied upon reaching economic threshold levels of B. tabaci and A. biguttula. The insect pest population was recorded 24 hours before and 24h, 72h and 168h after spray. Maximum reduction of 60.20% of B. tabaci on Bt cotton was recorded at 6% NSE while at 2% concentration of NSE after 148 hrs, 39. 16% reduction was observed. While maximum reduction on non-Bt cotton at 6% recorded as 66.60% and minimum at 2% concentration recorded as 48.72% of neem seed extract against B. tabaci. In case of A. biguttula, maximum reduction in population was observed at 6% concentration of NSE (64.94%) and minimum at 2% concentration (44.50%) on Bt cotton. While maximum reduction of A. biguttula was observed at 6% concentration (69.05%) and minimum at 2% concentration (48.48%) on non-Bt cotton.

Sarhad Journal of Agriculture

Enfoque UTE

The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important... more The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important insect pest of the cotton crop worldwide. Sex-pheromone and light traps were used to monitor the adult P. gossypiella population in Bt cotton field for the years 2017-18 at southern Punjab, Pakistan. The sampling of infested bolls was done to record the damage level of P. gossypiella. The sex-pheromone traps captured approximately 2-3 times more adults than light traps in all locations during 2017-18. For sex-pheromone traps, temperature showed negative and strong relation (R2 = 0.63-0.80) with trap catches. Fewer bolls (7.0-9.0%) were infested in plots where sex-pheromone traps were installed compared to check plots (32-37%). Therefore, the pheromone trapping proved an effective and eco-friendly tool for the monitoring and management of P. gossypiella. Our findings enable forecasting of seasonal P. gossypiella population providing additional information for the development of an integra...

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology

The armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically important insect... more The armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically important insect pest of vegetables, ornamentals and other agricultural crops. Synthetic insecticides have remained primary means for the management of S. litura than any other management tool. We tested the effectiveness of some insecticides against different larval instars of S. litura in laboratory as well as in field on the prevailing instars in two fodder crops lucern/alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. and jantar/sesbania, Sesbania sesban L. In the laboratory, emamectin benzoate provided the most control 69-91% followed by lufenuron 70-85% of all larval instars after 48 hours of application. In the lucern field, emamectin benzoate reduced the larval population of S. litura up to 79.32% and with the application of lufenuron 73.55% reduction occurred. Similarly, in jantar crop, lufenuron and emamectin benzoate proved to be more toxic against S. litura population. The abundance of ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera; Coccinellidae), honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera; Apidae) and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephen (Neuroptera; Chrysopidae) were found higher in emamectin and lufenuron treated plots compared to methoxyfenozide and chlorpyrifos. These results indicate that new chemistry insecticides; emamectin benzoate and lufenuron have a potential for the management of S. litura and are relatively safer for beneficial insects as compared to conventional insecticides, methoxyfenozide, and chlorpyrifos.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

International Journal of Insect Science

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biologica... more Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biological agents in the management of multiple arthropod pests. In this study, the effects of both EPF species on various life stages of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its natural enemy Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were determined under laboratory conditions. I. fumosorosea significantly ( P

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biologica... more Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biological agents in the management of multiple arthropod pests. In this study, the effects of both EPF species on various life stages of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its natural enemy Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were determined under laboratory conditions. I. fumosorosea significantly (P < .05) reduced the growth rate of the third and fourth instar larvae of S. litura. For relative consumption rate (RCR), the maximum impact was recorded for I. fumosorosea, which reduced the RCR of the larvae. The larvae of S. litura treated with I. fumosorosea showed significantly lower efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and the larval mortality rate (58.0%) was also higher compared with B. bassiana (33.3%). Similarly, I. fumosorosea had a significant effect on the pupal formation of S. litura; however, no significant effect was found on adult emergence percentage. To determine the effect of EPF-infected prey on the adult predator, their handling time, predatory rate, consumption rate, and the survival rate were recorded. No significant effect of EPF species on the predation rate was found. Furthermore, no significant difference was found in the survival rate of predators fed on either EPF-infected prey or healthy larvae. The interaction of these EPFs with a reduviid predator suggested that both EPF species, especially I. fumosorosea, could be used together with the predator to boost the biological control of S. litura in commercial crops.

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the vector of... more The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the vector of the pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease, the serious threats to citrus industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes: Moniliales) and Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) in controlling the adult citrus psyllid of D. citri under laboratory and semi-field conditions. Bioassays were performed by exposing the adults to the EPF at the concentration of (1 × 10 8 conidia/ml). The results showed that both EPF had the potential to control the adult citrus psyllid, giving 64-74% mortality rate in the laboratory and 61-72% under semifiled conditions. These results support the use of both EPF as effective biopesticides for integrated management of the Asian citrus psyllid, D. citri.

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, Sep 27, 2023

EPPO Bulletin, 2020

Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a natural enemy of several important ... more Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a natural enemy of several important pests. This biocontrol agent is also a host for different parasitoids. Little is known about the parasitoid complex of C. septempunctata in Pakistan. The authors identified Oomyzus scaposus (Thomson, 1878) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as a larval‐pupal parasitoid of C. septempunctata in the district of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Out of 36 C. septempunctata pupae collected, 58.3% were parasitized by O. scaposus. This study documents the first record of O. scaposus parasitizing C. septempunctata in Pakistan.

JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2021

The following is a case report of a 17-day-old female baby, born at 35 weeks' gestation, weig... more The following is a case report of a 17-day-old female baby, born at 35 weeks' gestation, weighing 2.6 kg. She was brought to us with reluctance to feed, swelling over the left side of her face and a fever documented at 102oF, along with an erythematous, tender, localised swelling over the left pre-auricular region that measured 2 x 1.5 cm in size. Diagnostic workup and ultrasound findings were consistent with parotitis; however, her blood culture was negative. The patient was managed on antibiotics but subsequently, developed a nosocomial infection while she was admitted in the hospital, which prolonged her hospital stay to a total of 16 days. Nevertheless, she had complete resolution of the signs and symptoms on her follow-up visit. Acute parotitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a neonate presenting with facial swelling, reluctance to feed or incessant crying. Timely and appropriate management can result in good recovery and minimising the potential for c...

Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 2019

Quantitative studies concerning abnormalities and hemolytic activity was performed under laborato... more Quantitative studies concerning abnormalities and hemolytic activity was performed under laboratory conditions for larvae of Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Four insecticides (decarafluron 50EC, emamectin benzoate 1.9EC, chlorpyrifos 40EC and abamectin 1.8EC) were studied for the immunosuppressive activity of 5 instar larvae of S. litura. Immunosuppression was assessed by examining changes in total heamocytes count and differential heamocytes count. Newly ecdysed 5 instar larvae (normal) total heamocytes count of 1.6x10 cells/mm. But a great decline in total heamocytes count was observed by the application of decarafluron and drastically increase due to the application of abamectin. From five different types of heamocytes, proheamocytes were found the most sensitive to insecticidal stress and rupturing of the cell wall was identified as the most common abnormality. The observations suggest that insecticides are capable of inducing multiple forms of cell death i...

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 2019

Several plant species and their compounds are well-known to have some pesticidal properties again... more Several plant species and their compounds are well-known to have some pesticidal properties against a wide range of insect pests. Potential of two water plant extracts, Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach L., in comparison with the synthetic pyrethroid bifenthrin against sucking insect pests and their associated predators, as well on the yield in Bt cotton, was evaluated. The population of the sucking insect pests was found lowest in the positive control (only bifenthrin application). The A. indica extract reduced the pest population equivalent to the positive control, but the highest populations were observed in both negative controls (only water and 0.1% soap with water application). The M. azedarach did not show any harmful effect on the insect population. The predators' abundance was higher in the plots where botanicals were applied, while the lowest population was observed in the bifenthrin treatment. In comparison to the negative control (only water application), (63.4%) cotton yield was increased by the application of A. indica and (58.8%) by the application of the synthetic insecticide. Using plant extracts of A. indica to control sucking insect pests of cotton can be as effective as synthetic insecticides in terms of crop yield beside they are safer for natural enemies in the field.

Southwestern Entomologist, 2019

Abstract. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a major ... more Abstract. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a major insect pest of citrus (Citrus spp.) and some other plants related to the Rutaceae family. It is also a vector of the pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacterium associated with a serious disease of citrus plants known as Huanglongbing. Little is known about other host plants of D. citri. We documented for the first time D. citri defoliating lasora, Cordia myxa L. (Family Boraginaceae), in the southern region of the state of Punjab, Pakistan. About eight to 10 adults and 15 to 18 nymphs were observed per shoot of the lasora plant.

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 2019

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2021

Insecticidal properties of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (family: Asteraceae), an annual herb, and ... more Insecticidal properties of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (family: Asteraceae), an annual herb, and Moringa oleifera (Lam.) (family: Moringaceae), a perennial tree, were assessed against different digestibility parameters and survival rate of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Effect of different extracts (based on three extraction solvents: ethanol, methanol, and acetone) of P. hysterophorus and M. oleifera on the digestibility indices and larval mortality of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied. The extracts were tested at two different concentrations; 25 mg and 50 mg. The effect of methanol extract on S. litura larvae was greater than that of ethanol and acetone. The methanol extract of P. hysterophorus at 50 mg concentration significantly reduced the digestibility indices; 49.6% consumption rate, 80.4% growth rate, 63.9% efficiency of conversion of ingested food, 68.4% efficiency of conversion of digested food, 39.3% assimilation rate, and 12.3% approximate digestibility of S. litura larvae compared with the control (positive untreated) treatment. By using methanol extracts of P. hysterophorus at 50 mg concentration, larvae's survival rate was also found to be lower than those of other treatments. The performance of M. oleifera extracts was lower in terms of affecting the digestibility and survival of S. litura compared to P. hysterophorus. Among the two plant extracts, a higher concentration (50mg) of P. hysterophorus using methanol as a solvent represented a promising natural product for S. litura control.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Oct 1, 2017

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of neem seed extract (NSE) for the manageme... more The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of neem seed extract (NSE) for the management of Bemesia tabaci Gennadius, (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and Amrasca biguttula Ishida, (Homopter: Cicadellidae) infesting Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars. Foliar application of neem seed, Azadirachta indica extract was applied upon reaching economic threshold levels of B. tabaci and A. biguttula. The insect pest population was recorded 24 hours before and 24h, 72h and 168h after spray. Maximum reduction of 60.20% of B. tabaci on Bt cotton was recorded at 6% NSE while at 2% concentration of NSE after 148 hrs, 39. 16% reduction was observed. While maximum reduction on non-Bt cotton at 6% recorded as 66.60% and minimum at 2% concentration recorded as 48.72% of neem seed extract against B. tabaci. In case of A. biguttula, maximum reduction in population was observed at 6% concentration of NSE (64.94%) and minimum at 2% concentration (44.50%) on Bt cotton. While maximum reduction of A. biguttula was observed at 6% concentration (69.05%) and minimum at 2% concentration (48.48%) on non-Bt cotton.

Sarhad Journal of Agriculture

Enfoque UTE

The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important... more The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important insect pest of the cotton crop worldwide. Sex-pheromone and light traps were used to monitor the adult P. gossypiella population in Bt cotton field for the years 2017-18 at southern Punjab, Pakistan. The sampling of infested bolls was done to record the damage level of P. gossypiella. The sex-pheromone traps captured approximately 2-3 times more adults than light traps in all locations during 2017-18. For sex-pheromone traps, temperature showed negative and strong relation (R2 = 0.63-0.80) with trap catches. Fewer bolls (7.0-9.0%) were infested in plots where sex-pheromone traps were installed compared to check plots (32-37%). Therefore, the pheromone trapping proved an effective and eco-friendly tool for the monitoring and management of P. gossypiella. Our findings enable forecasting of seasonal P. gossypiella population providing additional information for the development of an integra...

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology

The armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically important insect... more The armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically important insect pest of vegetables, ornamentals and other agricultural crops. Synthetic insecticides have remained primary means for the management of S. litura than any other management tool. We tested the effectiveness of some insecticides against different larval instars of S. litura in laboratory as well as in field on the prevailing instars in two fodder crops lucern/alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. and jantar/sesbania, Sesbania sesban L. In the laboratory, emamectin benzoate provided the most control 69-91% followed by lufenuron 70-85% of all larval instars after 48 hours of application. In the lucern field, emamectin benzoate reduced the larval population of S. litura up to 79.32% and with the application of lufenuron 73.55% reduction occurred. Similarly, in jantar crop, lufenuron and emamectin benzoate proved to be more toxic against S. litura population. The abundance of ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera; Coccinellidae), honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera; Apidae) and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephen (Neuroptera; Chrysopidae) were found higher in emamectin and lufenuron treated plots compared to methoxyfenozide and chlorpyrifos. These results indicate that new chemistry insecticides; emamectin benzoate and lufenuron have a potential for the management of S. litura and are relatively safer for beneficial insects as compared to conventional insecticides, methoxyfenozide, and chlorpyrifos.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

International Journal of Insect Science

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biologica... more Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biological agents in the management of multiple arthropod pests. In this study, the effects of both EPF species on various life stages of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its natural enemy Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were determined under laboratory conditions. I. fumosorosea significantly ( P

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biologica... more Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biological agents in the management of multiple arthropod pests. In this study, the effects of both EPF species on various life stages of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its natural enemy Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were determined under laboratory conditions. I. fumosorosea significantly (P < .05) reduced the growth rate of the third and fourth instar larvae of S. litura. For relative consumption rate (RCR), the maximum impact was recorded for I. fumosorosea, which reduced the RCR of the larvae. The larvae of S. litura treated with I. fumosorosea showed significantly lower efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and the larval mortality rate (58.0%) was also higher compared with B. bassiana (33.3%). Similarly, I. fumosorosea had a significant effect on the pupal formation of S. litura; however, no significant effect was found on adult emergence percentage. To determine the effect of EPF-infected prey on the adult predator, their handling time, predatory rate, consumption rate, and the survival rate were recorded. No significant effect of EPF species on the predation rate was found. Furthermore, no significant difference was found in the survival rate of predators fed on either EPF-infected prey or healthy larvae. The interaction of these EPFs with a reduviid predator suggested that both EPF species, especially I. fumosorosea, could be used together with the predator to boost the biological control of S. litura in commercial crops.

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the vector of... more The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the vector of the pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease, the serious threats to citrus industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes: Moniliales) and Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) in controlling the adult citrus psyllid of D. citri under laboratory and semi-field conditions. Bioassays were performed by exposing the adults to the EPF at the concentration of (1 × 10 8 conidia/ml). The results showed that both EPF had the potential to control the adult citrus psyllid, giving 64-74% mortality rate in the laboratory and 61-72% under semifiled conditions. These results support the use of both EPF as effective biopesticides for integrated management of the Asian citrus psyllid, D. citri.