EFFICACY OF Cordyceps fumosorosea AND Silico-Sec® AGAINST STORED PRODUCT PESTS: IMPACT ON MORTALITY, FECUNDITY, MYCOSIS, AND SPORULATION

Authors: Muhamad Yasin, Waqas Wakil, Mirza Abdul Qayyum, Misbah Ashraf, Abdulrahman S. Aldawood, Mubasher Hussain, Hafiz Muhammad Bilal Yousuf, Areej Mahfooz
Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS)
ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online)
Volume: 36  Issue: 3  Pages: 729-740
Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2026.3.0060
URL: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2026.3.0060
Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum

Abstract:
<p>Stored grain insect pests threaten global food security by reducing the quality and quantity of grain, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides. In current laboratory&nbsp;<em>tests, entomopathogenic fungi,</em><em>Cordyceps&nbsp;fumosorosea</em><em>, and a diatomaceous earth (DE) formulation, Silico-Sec<sup>&reg;</sup>, were tested against the adult stages of Liposcelis paeta, Cryptolestes ferrugineus</em><em>, Rhyzopertha dominica</em><em>, and Tribolium castaneum&nbsp;</em>using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications<em>.</em><em>Diatomaceous earth</em>&nbsp;was applied at a concentration of 200 ppm, while&nbsp;<em>C. fumosorosea</em>&nbsp;was introduced at 1&times;10⁶ and 1&times;10⁸ conidia kg<sup>-1</sup>&nbsp;of wheat, either individually or in integrated manners. After 21 days of exposure, the highest mortality in all insect species was observed in T<sub>1</sub>&nbsp;(<em>L. paeta</em>: 69.53%,&nbsp;<em>C. ferrugineus</em>: 56.76%,&nbsp;<em>R. dominica</em>: 51.58%, and&nbsp;<em>T. castaneum</em>: 43.90%), followed by T<sub>3</sub>&nbsp;and T<sub>2</sub>&nbsp;in individual treatments. In combined treatments, T<sub>5</sub>&nbsp;resulted in the highest mortality (<em>L. paeta</em>: 100.0%,&nbsp;<em>C. ferrugineus</em>: 95.12%,&nbsp;<em>R. dominica</em>: 92.47%, and&nbsp;<em>T. castaneum</em>: 83.65%). The lowest LT<sub>50</sub>&nbsp;and LT<sub>90</sub>&nbsp;values were recorded for&nbsp;<em>L. paeta</em>, indicating their higher susceptibility, while the&nbsp;<em>T. castaneum</em>&nbsp;exhibited the highest resistance towards all the treatments. Maximum progeny emergence was recorded in T<sub>2</sub>&nbsp;(<em>L. paeta</em>: 44.33%;&nbsp;<em>C. ferrugineus</em>: 49.44%;&nbsp;<em>R. dominica</em>: 54.88%; and&nbsp;<em>T. castaneum</em>: 61.44%) compared to the control treatment. On the other hand, the highest mycosis (T<sub>2</sub>: 87.21%; T<sub>3</sub>: 77.32%; T<sub>4</sub>: 55.20%; and T<sub>5</sub>: 41.10%) and sporogenesis (T<sub>2</sub>: 185.22; T<sub>3</sub>: 167.67; T<sub>4</sub>: 152.22; and T<sub>5</sub>: 140.67 spores) were recorded in&nbsp;<em>L. paeta</em>. The results indicated that&nbsp;<em>C. fumosorosea</em>&nbsp;and Silico-Sec<sup>&reg;</sup> can be used as effective grain protectants and provide significant control when used alone or in combination against major storage insect pests. Their exceptional mode of action qualifies them as an efficient and viable solution, reflecting their importance as critical aspects in IPM interventions in the preservation of stored grains.</p>

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Keywords: Cordyceps fumosorosea, Silico-Sec®, Progeny emergence, Mycosis, Sporogenesis