Biocontrol agents against the leafminer,Liriomyza trifolii in faba bean fields

Effect of entomopathogenic fungi formulations, Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecanii, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, in controlling Liriomyza trifolii (Burg.) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), compared with botanical insecticide, Nimbecidine against L. trifolii was studied. Investigated compounds were applied twice at 15?days interval between sprays. The percentage reduction in larvae population and crop yield was estimated. Results showed that M. anisopliae was the most efficient compound among the other entomopathogenic fungi. Also, there were no significant differences between Nimbecidine and Bio-Magic (M. anisopliae). However, Nimbecidine and Bio-Magic caused 69.9 and 68.9% reduction in live larvae population after two applications. Also, Nimbecidine and Bio-Magic plots achieved 14.7 and 10.0?kg dry weight seeds/100 plants, respectively, compared to 5.7?kg dry weight seeds/100 plants in control plots. Nimbecidine and Bio-Magic were considered promising compounds in controlling L. trifolii and it could be exploitation in the integrated pest management programme of faba bean crop.