Controle biológico de Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera:Termitidade) por fungos entomopatogenicos: Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) (Sorokin), Beauveria bassiana (Balssamo) (Vuillemim), Isaria javanica (Frieder e Bally) e Penicillium sp. (Fleming) no Amazonas

Abstract

Termites are eusocial insects of the Isoptera order. They are best known for its economic importance as pests, causing damage in urban areas, countryside, especially in sugarcane fields, pastureland and forests. Biological control with entomopathogenic fungi have been shown to be a viable option not compromising the handler and does not have any harmful effects on animals, as may occur when chemicals is used. This work aimed to analyze four species of fungi biologically active against termite Nasutitermes corniger and seek new sources of inoculums production, seeking the development of a product for biological control of termites in the Amazonas State. The bioassay in vitro, conidia were produced, quantified and inoculated. Several substrates were tested for fungal growth (coconut shell, clear and dark sawdust and residue of passion fruit seed) with the control treatment using rice. The in vitro test results showed fungi high efficiency against Nasutitermes corniger, especially Isaria javanica with the highest potential for biological control with 100% mortality at a concentration of 108 conidia / mL from second day. The highest average production of conidia obtained from cadavers of N. corniger was found in Penicillium sp. and I. javanica at a concentration 107 and 108 conidia / mL. For the production of fungal inoculate on the tested substrates. The best results were found in substrates of rice and seed residue for Metarhizium anisopliae, Penicillium sp. and I. javanica in five, and eight days for Beauveria bassiana culture in humidity at 28 ° C. For field tests, the best result was observed over the Penicillium sp. at a concentration 108 conidia / mL.