Biological control of engorged female Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks with different Chinese isolates of Beauveria bassiana.

Seven isolates of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (B.b) were assessed for their lethality against Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, a prevalent tick species in China. Fourteen days after exposure to the isolates B.bAT1, B.bAT5, and B.bAT7 (at 10(8) conidia mL(-1)), the mortality rate had reached 100%. The results indicated that these three B. bassiana isolates were highly virulent against the engorged female H. qinghaiensis ticks. The present study suggests that B. bassiana has potential for biocontrol applications to eradicate H. qinghaiensis.