Tariku Tesfaye

The Control of Red Tef Worm: Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Insect Growth Regulators Against Red Tef Worm, Mentaxya Ignicollis Tariku Tesfaye

Tef (Eragrostics tef (Zucc.), Trotter: Poaceae) is a staple food crop of Ethiopia where it is originated and diversified. Red tef worm (M. ignicollis) is a serious pest of tef grown on black soils. Hence this work emphasized on the evaluation of potential of entomopathogenic fungi and insect growth regulators against Red Tef Worm. All tested Metarhizium anisopliea and Beuveria bassiana isolates were caused infection on third instar larvae of Red Tef Worm and able to cause delayed effect on the next stage. However, isolate MM has caused the highest mortality than others. Lufenuron and teflubenzuron were also caused mortality after affecting the developmental stage of RTW larvae and inhibit egg hatch ability. In general, both MM isolate at 1x109spores/ml and lufenuron (40g a.i./ha) were found to be effective and potency against 3rd instar larvae of RTW under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Therefore, since these agents are safe to the environment and other beneficial organisms, they are recommended for the tef growing farmers and researchers to develop intgerated pest management of the insect.