Potential of Beauveria bassiana for control of Spodoptera litura

The tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) is posing a potential threat for successful cultivation of many economically important crops like maize, pulses, groundnut, sorghum and many vegetable crops in India. A number of insecticides have been used to control this pest. However, excessive use has resulted in the development of insecticide resistance in this insect, destruction of natural enemies, secondary pest out break, residue problem, health hazards, environmental problems etc. To minimize the ill effects of insecticides, there is need to develop alternative eco-friendly strategies. In recent years, crop protection based on biological control of crop pests with microbial pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi and nematodes has been recognized as a valuable tool in pest management. Among these, entomopathogenic fungi is being exploited as an alternative to toxic conventional chemicals for the management of insect pests. The entomopathogenic fungi include those genera of fungi that are associated with insects and other arthropods like spiders and mites.