Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana and chlorantraniliprole against date palm dubas bug

Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin; Homoptera: Tropiduchidae) is a serious sucking insect of date palm all over the world. Its attack destroys the tree by feeding on the nutrient sap and reduces the fruit production. Various strategies have been used to control this bug like trunk injection (dichlorvos, aldicarb, butocarboxim) and aerial sprays of chemicals. However, the application of chemicals is harmful for human, environment and other species. Moreover, pesticide residues have also been reported from date palm fruits. To address these concern in date palm production, we evaluated two different isolates of Beauveria bassiana and one dose rate of chlorantraniliprole each individually and in combination against dubas bug. Beauveria bassiana was applied at 1×10⁷ conidia mL^‑1 while chlorantraniliprole was used at 0.05 ppm, respectively. Mortality data were recorded at 3, 5 and 7 days post-application. The results revealed that the combination of B. bassiana with chlorantraniliprole gave significantly higher mortality than when used alone. The combination of chlorantraniliprole at 1×10⁷ conidia mL^‑1 with Bb2 isolate of B. bassiana resulted in the highest mortality of dubas bug. The mortality of dubas bug with B. bassiana was increased with exposure interval. The results showed that B. bassiana with insecticide can be a promising strategy to be considered as part of IPM program of dubas bug in date palm.