Histological Changes in the Adult Seed Bug, Graptostethus servus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) Treated with the Entomopathogenic Fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales).

Abstract

---------------------Keywords is very vulnerable to B. bassiana. LC 50 value was 2.9x10 6 spores/ml and the LT 50 value was 4.16 days. The infection affected various body parts, especially the cuticle and the midgut. The application of B. bassiana on the adultʼs cuticle resulted in an apparent disturbance in the structure of the cuticle and degeneration of its different parts. These changes were observed 48 hours after treatment and increased in severity over time. The fungal infection was not limited to the cuticle, but also affected the epithelial cells of the crop and midgut, as well as the mesenteric caeca. These results highlight the insecticidal potential of the fungus B. bassiana against the pest G. servus .