Effectiveness of A Biopesticide and Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor on the Biological and Biochemical Traits of Agrotis Ipsilon (H.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

   The use of synthetic chemical insecticides with a high control efficiency against the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has a negative influence on human health, farmland, and natural enemies because of chemical residue, environmental pollution, and the development of insect resistance to these chemical insecticides. The present study, investigate the effect of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Beauveria bassiana (Bio-Bower) and chitin synthesis inhibitor lufenuron (Wormatin) on the fourth instar larvae of the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions of 27± 1 0C and 65% ± 10% R.H.
The findings showed that for the black cutworm A. ipsilon larvae exposed to various concentrations of Bio-Power and lufenuron, the LC50 values obtained were 1.0677 and 0.0921 ppm, respectively. The results showed that, as compared to control 10.5±0.57 days, the duration of the larvae increased by 11.00±1.04 and 12.67±0.88 days for Bio-power and lufenuron, respectively. Pupation rates decreased by 49.5% and 47.5%, respectively, for Bio-power and lufenuron, when compared to controls 97%. Additionally, pupal duration was shorter for each of Bio- power and lufenuron by 8.67±0.88 and 7.67±0.2 days, respectively when compared to controls 11.0±0.59 days. When compared to the enzymatic activity in control insects, the enzyme activities for Bio-power and lufenuron shows an decrease in protease by 77.993 and 86.801% and a decrease in chitinase by 82.450% for Bio-power and increase in chitinase by 116.70% for lufenuron. These enzymes are a variety of hydrolases that are crucial for the physiological operation of the targeted insect and, as a result, for its metabolic pathway. The total level of protein decreased by 347.1 and 396.8 mg/larva, lipid by 348.2 and 261.8 mg oleic/larva, and carbohydrate by 325.6 and 318.4 mg glucose/larvae according to the results of both treatments.
This study found that using B. bassiana (Bio-Bower), an entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), as a very safe alternative to chemical pesticides because this study found that it was a very effective treatment for the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon. Chemical pesticides also cause significant harm to soil and water quality.