Prospective of entomopathogenic fungi associated with Helopeltis spp. (Hemipter: Miridae) on cacao plantation

One of potential pests that attack the cocoa plant are Helopeltis spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae). This study aims to determine several kinds of entomopathogenic fungi associated with the pest Helopeltis spp. on the folk cocoa plantations and has the potential to be developed as a biocontrol agent of Helopeltis spp. The research was conducted in the village of Prosperous Palolo District of Sigi that served as center of cocoa production in Central Sulawesi. The research was undertaken from August 2013 to February 2014. The Village is geographically located at an altitude of 589 meters above sea level - 600 meters above sea level. Samples of infected Helopeltis spp. were surface sterilized and incubated on a potatos Agar (PDA). Isolates were then macroscopic and microscopic identified based on their morphological characteristics on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium, Czapek Dox Agar (CDA), peptone Malt Agar (MPA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and continued with the pathogenicity test of Koch's postulates in laboratory conditions and detection of aflatoxin. Based on the morphological characters, entomopathogenic fungal isolates associated with Helopeltis spp. on the cocoa plantations are identified as Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus flavus, and Verticillium lecanii. The result of Koch's postulates showed an identical symptom of dead insects which infected in the field and in the laboratory condition. Pathogenicity test of local fungal isolates in laboratory conditions revealed that the average mortality of Helopeltis spp. occurred on the second until the seventh day after inoculation, respectively. The percentages of mortality were 90% for application with Aspergillus sp., 80% with Aspergillus flavus and 77% with Verticillium lecanii