Effect of entomopathogenic fungi against banana pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis (Olivier) and elucidation of infection process

Abstract Background The banana stem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis (Olivier), is a serious threat to cultivation world over. Since food crop, the use of naturally infecting biological control agents could be an effective alternative manage insect pest instead harmful chemicals. Also, efficacy entomopathogenic fungi against O. was used in bioassay. Results Among Beauveria bassiana isolates tested median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) 10.468 × 10 5 conidia ml −1 when treated with B. (NRCBEFPMP1), two other , namely NRCBEPF22 and NRCBEPF2, were also recorded LC 12.617 12.891 respectively. results bioassay different Metarhizium spp. showed variations efficacy, where most virulent isolate M. quizhouense (NRCBEPF11) 8.050 . Scanning electron microscopic analysis that caused infection by cuticle penetration completed process 15 days. composition volatile organic compounds released anisopliae during pathogenesis significantly high number known volatiles present infected insects. Consequently, these emission Insect attractant, Odorant receptor agonist, Plant hormone Plant, Microbial Metabolites, through activity, such as Methyl salicylate, Benzaldehyde, alpha-Terpineol, Limonene, Benzene, 1,2-dimethoxy, Phthalic acid, 1-Octadecene, Phenylacetaldehyde, 3-Octanone, Octanal, Methylheptenone 2-Ethyl-1-hexyl alcohol. Conclusion Overall, show EPF reduce damage produce wide profile secondary metabolites. Further, for principal components determine whether separated classes can distinguished from one another based on their metabolite profiles.