LABORATORY EVALUATION OF THE ADULTICIDAL AND NYMPHICIDAL ACTIVITY OF Aspergillus niger In Bemisia tabaci (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE)

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a widespread polyphagous insect pest and a dangerous vector for many viruses that cause plant diseases. Farmers urgently need safe pesticides to protect their crops and plants, making biopesticide a good alternative to chemicals. Biopesticides are part of an integrated pest management program and offer a safer, more natural alternative to chemical pesticides. Since biocides were introduced, several pest management products have been released, some of which dominate the market. The current laboratory study tested the biological agent Aspergillus niger at three concentrations (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 con/ml) to manage and reduce Bemisia tabaci population density in greenhouses and field crops. Laboratory tests showed that the two isolates were highly virulent against Bemisia tabaci nymphs and adults. Mortality was significantly different from controls in relation to isolate concentrations and time. Culture filtrate concentration and duration affected nymph and adult mortality. The 100% concentrations of both An1 and An2 were superior to the remaining concentrations, giving mortality in nymphs of B.tabaci 48.88 and 45.55 for isolates (An1 and An2) respectively, 42.21 and 36.66 for isolates (An1 and An2) respectively in adults stage. Effect of duration on post treatment mortality, highest mortality in nymphs and adults occurred 9 days after treatment, 74.44 , 56.66% in nymph and 53.33, 45.55 in adults for isolates (An1and An2) respectively. Concerning the interaction between concentration and duration, as is clear from Tables (1) and (2), the mortality was highest at 1.00% concentration. After 9 days of treatment, the isolates (An1, An2) achieved mortality 86.66, 80.0 in nymphs and 73.33%, 63.33% in adults, respectively. These findings demonstrate A. niger's biopesticide potential.