BIO EFFICACY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI, BEAUVERIA BASSIANA FORMULATIONS AGAINST COFFEE BERRY BORER (HYPOTHENEMUS HAMPEI)

The coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is one of the most destructive pest of coffee worldwide causing significant yield and quality losses. This study evaluates the bioefficacy of Beauveria bassiana (UAS, Raichur Bb 5a) against the coffee berry borer (H. hampei) under laboratory conditions. Mortality percentage of adults and larvae were recorded at 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment. The results revealed that in both adults and larvae conidial suspension exhibited significantly higher mean mortality (45.71%) compared to talc-based formulation (25.24%) and control (7.62% ) with peak mortality of 62.86% at 72 hours. In larvae also conidial suspension again outperformed talc-based formulation (67.62%), achieving 94.29% overall mean mortality and 100% mortality at 72 hours. These results showed that the B. bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungi found to be effective for causing mortality in coffee berry borer (adult and larval). This study highlights the significant potential of this biopesticide applications in coffee pest management