Effect of Beauveria bassiana on Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) and its parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana, which is a species of entomopathogenic fungus, used for this experiment in order to determine the effects on Galleria mellonella and its parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae. 105, 106, 107 and 108 conidia/mL were applied to the last instar of G. mellonella by injecting the suspensions. To determine the effect of B. bassiana on T. cacoeciae, 108 conidia/mL were applied to the G. mellonella eggs. No mortality was observed in 105 and 106 conidia/mL of B. bassiana injected group, whereas death larvae was determined in 107 and 108 conidia/mL injected groups. Prevalence of black spots within the integument increased day by day. Hatchability of G. mellonella eggs were significantly decreased when B. bassiana applied to the G. mellonella eggs. Parasitism and emergence ratio were unaffected by B. bassiana. The biosafety of B. bassiana against T. cacoeciae was determined by monitoring the parasitization and emergence ratio. It was detected B. bassiana was safe to this egg parasitoid. However, there is a significant effect on mortality of G. mellonella larvae and hatchability of G. mellonella eggs.