Sublethal concentrations effects of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on reproductive parameters of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Sublethal effects of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin (isolate DEMI001) were assessed on reproductive parameters of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) offspring under laboratory conditions. Third-instar larvae of T. absoluta were immersed in LC10 (1.29×103), LC20 (6.39×103) and LC30 (2.03×104 conidia/ml) of M. anisopliae. Oviposition periods and fecundity of parents and offspring were recorded daily until death. Results indicated that longevity of adults (female and males) and oviposition periods decreased by increasing conidia concentration in all treatments compared to the control. The lowest net fecundity rate (31.75±0.19 egg) and net fertility rate (26.03±0.16 egg) were obtained at LC30. The mean ages of hatching were 27, 23.54, 21.50 and 23 days, respectively in control, LC10, LC20 and LC30. Results of this research demonstrated that exposure of tomato leaf miner larvae to sublethal concentrations of M. anisopliae affected reproductive parameters in offspring, therefore, this entomopathogenic fungus can be used in the integrated management program of T. absoluta.