Isolados amazônicos de Metarhizium são eficientes para o controle de imaturos e adultos de Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

Abstract

Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock is a quarantine pest present in Brazil and constitutes the main phytosanitary barrier for the export of fresh fruits from that country. In this work, we evaluated the effect of Amazonian isolates of Metarhizium on the control of immatures and adults of B. carambolae in soil applications. The mortality of immatures in sterile soil treated with Metarhizium anisopliae was 70%. In addition, 100% of the adults that emerged from this substrate died up to 5 days later. This isolate caused the mortality of immatures in non-sterile soil, but its effect was more evident after adult emergence (70% mortality up to 10 days after emergence). Metarhizium robertsii was effective in reducing the immature population of the pest, especially in non-sterile soil, and caused a 60% reduction in adult survival 50 days after emergence. These results indicated the possible use of these isolates for the control of immatures and adults of B. carambolae, suggesting the possibility of using this biocontrol mode as another alternative in controlling this quarantine pest