Evaluation of solid carriers of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae for managing Bactrocera zonata

Fruit flies are economically important in Pakistan and considerable barrier to mango exports. Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most devastating, and abundantly found fruit fly species in different regions of Pakistan. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are preferred to use against B. zonata due to no residues in mango and their ecofriendly nature. Different solid carriers can maintain the efficacy of these EPF over the time without deterioration. Present study was designed to evaluate these solid carriers.  Ten different formulations were prepared (by using ten different solid carriers including boiled rice, talc, wheat bran, reused potatoes, sugarcane bagasse, clay, crushed sorghum, butter whey, maize crumb and carrot whey) along with a commercial product as control. All formulations were prepared on same day but their efficacies were evaluated on 1st day, 15th day and 30th day after preparation against different stages (pupae and adult) of fruit fly. Difference in the adult emergence of the pupae and mortalities of the adults was recorded. Experiment was replicated three times by using complete randomized design (CRD) under lab conditions. Different solid carriers have different effects on maintaining the efficacy of the product. Wheat bran followed by Talc was found most effective among all these formulations. According to this study wheat bran and talc are recommended to prepare solid formulations of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae for managing B. zonata.