insecticidal activity of entomopathogenic fungi against the immature stages of 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑚𝑦𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑚

This study investigated the potential of five entomopathogenic fungal isolates for controlling the spodoptera frugiperda (j.e. smith) (lepidoptera: noctuidae), known as fall armyworm (faw), a devastating agricultural pest. the findings demonstrate a remarkable impact on the mortality rate of eggs, neonates, and larvae, highlighting their potential as eco-friendly biocontrol agents. beauveria bassiana exhibited the most potent effect, significantly reducing hatchability to 40.9, 73.3, and 87.8% at 1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 spores/ml, respectively, followed by metarhizium anisopliae m4 (31.5%, 51.4%, and 77.6%). in addition, both b. bassiana and m. anisopliae m4 has the highest neonatal mortality of 58.9 and 45.5% at 1 × 108 spores/ml, respectively. b. bassiana and m. anisopliae m4 caused cumulative mortality, including 92.4 and 82.2% mortality of eggs and neonates, respectively, at 1 × 108 spores/ml. similarly, b. bassiana and m. anisopliae m4 caused the highest second instar larvae mortality by 44.9 and 35.7%, respectively. however, no significant effect was found on pupal formation. furthermore, compared with the control treatment, both b. bassiana and m. anisopliae m4 significantly reduced relative consumption rate and conversion of ingested food.