Susceptibility of Bruchus rufimanus Boheman 1833 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to three entomopathogenic fungi: Limits of conidial suspensions sprayings and potential alternatives in integrated pest management strategy

Bruchus rufimanus Boheman 1833 is a serious pest of Vicia faba L. preventing the valuation of seeds. Limited control methods against this pest suggested few alternatives, out of which entomopathogenic fungi were proposed as promiscuous control levers, but no data precisely describe the optimal method of application on large scale crops. First results from laboratory bioassays on this pest showed a “conidial quantity” dependent lethal response which is not compatible with classical crop spraying. These results are therefore discussed to highlight other application methods, such as attract and infect and endophytic fungi, which could integrate IPM strategy