Infection of the Rice Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata Lugens (Homoptera; Delphacidae) by Field Application of Entomopathogenic Hyphomycetes (Deuteromycotina)

Five entomopathogenic Hyphomycetes were tested under field conditions for biological control of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), in rice. Suspensions of conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin, M. flavoviride Gams & Roszypal, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., and Hirsutella citriformis Speare were applied at a rate of 4–5.1012 conidia per ha. In addition, M. anisopliae and Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thorn) Samson were applied as preparations of dry mycelium at a rate of 1.5–2 kg/ha. Mortality due to fungus infection ranged from 63 to 98% 3 weeks after application. There were no consistent differences between fungus species. The mycelium preparation sporulated on the plant and was as effective as the conidia suspension in infecting brown planthopper. Hyphomycetous fungi should be evaluated further for control of brown planthopper in rice