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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
IPM Enhancement Grants |
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Project Title:
Novel Alphitobius diaperinus Control Strategies -- Diatomaceous Earth and Beauveria bassiana |
Project Director (PD):
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Lead State: GA Lead Organization: University of Georgia |
| Undesignated Funding: $27,229 |
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Start Date: Mar-01-2015 End Date: Feb-29-2016 |
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No-Cost Extension Date: Aug-31-2016 |
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Pests Involved: Alphitobius diaperinus |
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Site/Commodity: Broilers (poultry) |
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Area of Emphasis: biopesticide |
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Summary:
Worldwide, Alphitobius diaperinus (the lesser mealworm) is the most significant pest in broiler production. Because Alphitobius are resistant to all chemical classes registered for use against them, alternative suppression tactics are urgently needed. Laboratory studies have shown that Beauveria bassiana has some efficacy against Alphitobius. Diatomaceous earth demonstrated ability to potentiate B. bassiana activity against other Tenebrionids; we want to see if it does the same for Alphitobius.
Objectives: 1. Determine efficacy of seven diatomaceous earth brands against Alphitobius (adults and larvae) 2. Determine efficacy of Beauveria bassiana against Alphitobius (adults and larvae) 3. Evaluate ability of diatomaceous earth to potentiate Beauveria's effect against Alphitobius |
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Final Report: |
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Outputs Diatomaceous earth is not efficacious against adult darkling beetles. While diatomaceous earth at sufficiently high rates will kill lesser mealworm larvae, estimates are that a broiler house would have to be treated with over a ton of diatomaceous earth to achieve acceptable lesser mealworm suppression. Under these test conditions, Beauveria bassiana demonstrated no efficacy against adult darkling beetles. While some effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana was demonstrated against larval lesser mealworms, the rates were unrealistic for practical application. Although combining diatomaceous earth with Beauveria bassiana reduced the amount required to produce 50% mortality in the larval lesser mealworm test population, requirements were still on the order of tons per broiler house. |
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Outcomes Diatomaceous earth is ineffective against adult lesser mealworms and only minimally effective against lesser mealworm larvae. Beauveria bassiana is not effective in killing adult lesser mealworms; it will infect and kill larvae, but only at very high rates. Addition of diatomaceous earth to Beauveria bassiana enhances the ability of the fungus to infect larval lesser mealworms, but over three tons of the mixture would be required per broiler house. |
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