Indian Journal of Entomology

The present study to evaluate entomopathogenic fungi for the management of sorghum shoot bug, Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead) revealed that, among the entomopathogens applied in various methods (foliar spray and whorl application along with FYM), Raichur strain (UASR BC VL 1) of Lecanicillium lecani (2×10⁸CFU) @ 2g/l directed to whorl region excelled in reducing shoot bug population (5.49/plant), % plant damage (58.62%) and superior plant growth parameters over all other EPF (Entomopathogenic fungi) treatments which was on par results with standard check, cypermethrin 25% EC @ 0.50ml/lit directed to whorl region (5.78/plant & 65.46%). Whereas, all the EPF treatments and untreated control showed superiority in conserving the natural enemy population (spiders and coccinellids) but standard check due to its chemical properties led to the reduction in the beneficial insects with lowest spider (0.54/plant) and coccinellid (0.87/plant) population.