Pathogenic potential of Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium longisporum on tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract Background The study was focused on identifying the pathogenic potential of native entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz . , Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) and Lecanicillium longisporum (Zimm.) against adult tea mosquito bug (TMB), Helopeltis theivora (Waterhouse) under in vitro conditions. Results Four EPF were isolated sequence has deposited to NCBI Genbank with accession numbers MZ930378 ( isolate UPASI_1), MZ930384 UPASI_2), MZ930388 UPASI_3) MZ930389 UPASI_4). Isolates evaluated TMB using dipping direct spray methods M. isolates achieved 100 69–81% mortality method, respectively after 10th day application 1 × 10 9 spores/ml. Among tested isolates, a significant p < 0.001) highest observed (MZ930388). On other hand, spraying L. 7 5 spores/ml caused 76, 55 46% application. Conclusions found that indigenous EPF, (MZ930388) an effective promising biocontrol agent