Evaluation of Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae TK-6 against developmental stages of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

Objective: The study is intended to find potential indigenous Entomopathogenic fungi from highly diverse area and further to develop as a biocontrol agent.Methods: The sampling area is located at Thekkadi, Western Ghats of India. Soil samples were collected from various crop fields using standard protocol. Using Galleria Bait technique Entomopathogenic fungi was recovered. Further, isolated strain was mass produced using different raw substrates for enhanced spore production. The produced spore was assessed for efficacy against IIIrd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.Results: On morphological and molecular characterization the isolated strain belong to the genera Metarhizum. Phylogenetic analysis of the recovered strains shows close proximity with Metarhizium anisopliae. Further, in mass production the rice bran substrate yields maximum conidial spores weighing about 2.88 g than other substrates. The mass produced effective mortality against the both IIIrd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.Conclusions: Entomopathogenic fungi are abundant in the soil eco system. Therefore, isolating and trapping potential Entomopathogenic fungi is very need to develop new biopesticide. In the present study the isolated stain Tk-6 is a potent candidate for biopesticide development.