Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for Controlling Casuarina Tussock Moth (Lymantria xylina Swinhoe) in Casuarina Plantations
摘要
Casuarina tussock moth (Lymantria xylina) is a significant destructive pest of casuarina plantations on the western coast of Taiwan. The latest outbreak of the moth was recorded in 1996. The potential of entomopathogenic fungi for controlling casuarina moths in casuarina plantations was evaluated. The isolate Bb-tz of Beauveria bassiana was shown to be pathogenic to the moth. After spraying the spore suspension of isolate Bb-tz, 83% of the larvae of Lymantria xylina were infected within 7 days. SDYA medium appeared to be better for mycelial growth of isolate Bb-tz than was PDA medium. However, isolate Bb-tz generated more conidia on PDA medium. For conidial germination and mycelial growth, the optimum temperature was around 25℃. The spores of isolate Bb-tz did not germinate after air drying for 12h. After keeping the spores in distilled water for 6 months, the percentage of germination remained as high as 93.2%.