Simultaneous Use of Entomopathogenic Fungus Lecanicillium and Predatory Ladybird Hippodamia Variegata in Control of Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon Pisum

Pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum is an important pest in most parts of the world. The main damage is caused by transmission of viral diseases. Hippodamia variegata Goeze, is a predator with very broad host range in Palearctic areas and from there has extended to Nearctic areas. Lecanicillium longisporum Petch has a wide host range and its isolates can infect aphids, scale, whiteflies, thrips and plant pathogens. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate simultaneous use of entomopathogenic fungus L. longisporum and the ladybird H. variegata in biological control of pea aphids. Third instar larvae and adults of H. variegata were inoculated by sub-lethal, LC50 and lethal concentrations (estimated values on A. pisum) of L. longisporum. Lab experiments evaluating interactions between fungus and ladybird showed no significant effect of the fungus on survival of the predator when sprayed directly on third instar larvae and adults. Also feeding on infected aphids in the interval of 24, 48 and 72 h after fungud treatment, no significant effect was observed on survival of coccinellids. On the basis of our results, it could be suggested that H. variegata and L. longisporum are compatible biocontrol agents in integrated management of pea aphid population.