PATOGENICIDADE E VIRULÊNCIA DE FUNGOS ENTOMOPATOGÊNICOS NO CONTROLE DO PERCEVEJO-MARROM-DA-SOJA (Euschistus heros)

Abstract

This study investigates the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae, Cordyceps javanica and Beauveria bassiana in the control of the neotropical brown stink bug (Euschistus heros), a relevant pest in soybean crop in Brazil. Among the fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae stood out in terms of insect mortality. To explore more information, the research evaluated the virulence in different concentrations of M. anisopliae, revealing that concentrations of 6.15x108 conidia/mL (8.13 g/L) and 6.15x109 conidia/ml (81.3 g/L) resulted in high mortality rates, especially 5th days of application. The results indicate that Metarhizium anisopliae is a viable alternative for integrated pest management, promoting more sustainable agriculture and reducing dependence on chemical insecticides. The study highlights the importance of further research to optimize the use of fungi in biological control.