Studies On Fungal Pathogens for Controlling the Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus Urticae Koch

Recently, fungal pathogens have shown considerable effect in controlling some phytophagous mites. Therefore , this work included survey on fungi associated with the two-spotted spider mite T. urticae infesting ,broad bean and maize in the three governorates, Menoufia, Kafr El-Sheikh and Giza. Also, laboratory bioassay and field study on the effect of some fungal pathogens on T. urticae and the phytoseiid predator E. scutalis was carried out. Results revealed the following: 1- Fungi Neozygites sp., Cephalosporium sp., Verticillium lecanii, Alternaria sp. and Aspergillus sp. Were collected in association with T urticae. 2-Fungi Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecanii and Metarhizium anisopliae were used under laboratory conditions. 3-Direct and indirect method for testing effect of B. bassiana, V. lecanii and M anisopliae on the predator E. scutalis was undertaken. In a field experiment, B. bassiana decreased T. urticae population from 10% to 45 % and from 10% to 25 % for V. lecanii and M anisopliae when concentrations increased from 106 to 100 x 106 respectively.