Native Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in Serrano Chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a significant pest of chili crops, and the continuous use of insecticides to control it has led to insecticide resistance. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of native entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) strains from the Sotavento region against whiteflies in the laboratory. Fungi were isolated from whiteflies collected from chili plants in different habitats and identified through morphological and molecular characterization. The pathogenicity of nine EPF strains was assessed at 1 × 10⁹ spores mL^-1, while the virulence of the most pathogenic strains was evaluated from 1 × 10⁴ to 1 × 10⁹ spores mL^-1. The lethal concentration (LC₅₀) and lethal time (LT₅₀) were also determined. Two native genera of EPF were identified: Beauveria and Cordyceps. The strains JV01 and PV02 (Cordyceps javanica), SV01 (Cordyceps fumosorosea), and MV03 (Beauveria bassiana) demonstrated high pathogenicity, causing mortality rates ranging from 94% to 100% at a concentration of 1 × 10⁶ spores mL^-1, five days after application. The strains JV01 and SV01 showed LC₅₀ values of 1.65 × 10⁵ and 5.53 × 10⁵ spores mL^-1, respectively, with an LT₅₀ of 2 days for both. In conclusion, highly pathogenic and virulent native EPF strains were identified against adult whiteflies on serrano chili.