EFICIÊNCIA DE FUNGOS ENTOMOPATOGÊNICOS NO CONTROLE DE S´podoptera frugiperda ALIMENTADA COM GRÃO-DE-BICO (Cicer aritetinum L.).

Abstract

As with any plant grown on a large scale, there is pressure and attack from defoliating pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda, which compromise their development and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps javanica, and Metarhizium anisopliae in controlling this pest under laboratory conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Instituto Federal Goiano – Urutaí Campus, using third-instar caterpillars inoculated with fungal suspensions and kept under controlled conditions for 12 days. The evaluations considered the cumulative and confirmed mortality of the insects. B. bassiana presented the highest cumulative mortality (95%) andthe fastest rate of action, being statistically superior to the control. M. anisopliae and C. javanica were also effective, with a cumulative mortality rate of 75%, although with lower virulence and variability in confirmed mortality. All three fungi have potential for biological control of S. frugiperda, particularly B. bassiana. The use of these agents is a viable alternative to chemical management, contributing to sustainability and the adoption of Integrated Pest Management in chickpea crops.