Biological control of the tick fowl Argas persicargas persicus by the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae

The pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the tick fowl Argas persicargas persicus was studied. Bioassays revealed significant differences between the two fungi and the A. persicargas persicus stages exposed. The first nymphal instar was more highly susceptible to both fungi than the second nymphal instar. The unfed female of A. persicargas persicus was significantly less susceptible to both fungi than the engorged female. Application of M. anisopliae to sackcloth naturally infested with the tick fowl A. persicargas persicus induced mortality which reached 100 % three weeks after treatment under field conditions. The present study suggests that entomopathogenic fungi have good potential for tick fowl, A. persicargas persicus, control.