Abstract

BACKGROUND

The combination of entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) with natural enemies represents a promising strategy for more sustainable management programs within the context of integrated pest management (IPM). This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of EPF isolates on 2 nd-instar nymphs of Euschistus crenator, through daily mortality and estimation of lethal time, in addition to investigating the selectivity of the most efficient isolates with respect to the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi, an important natural enemy of stink bugs in soybean crops.

RESULTS

All isolates were pathogenic to E. crenator, with LCMAP106, UFSM-01, and the commercial strain PL63 (BOV) of Beauveria bassiana promoting 83.75%, 75% and 87.5% mortality, respectively, after 10 days. The biological parameters of the offspring of females of T. podisi exposed to these isolates were evaluated. The exposure did not affect parasitism or survival, although it did influence the sex ratio, emergence and egg-to-adult cycle. This study also confirmed, for the first time, the parasitism of E. crenator eggs by T. podisi.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate the potential of different fungal isolates in controlling E. crenator and indicate that T. podisi can be used in conjunction with EPFs, as its ability to parasitize pest eggs and interrupt their biological cycle was not affected. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

MeSH

Beauveria, Mortality, Eggs, Pesticides, Ovum, Respect