[Method of biological control of Triatominae, vectors of Chagas disease, using entomopathogenic Hyphomycetes. Preliminary study].

Bioassays determined the pathogenic activity of 14 strains of 5 entomopathogenic hyphomycetous species (Fungi imperfecti), Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Nomuraea rileyi and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus to Rhodnius prolixus. Treatments consisted of direct spraying with conidial titrated suspensions on first instar larvae. When tested at 3 X 10(5) conidia/cm2, only 2 strains, B. bassiana n. 297 and B. bassiana n. 326 killed 100% of larvae at 10 days post-exposure. In the same time their LD50 and their LD90 did not differ significantly. After 3 weeks, the mortality caused by either dose of spores of B. bassiana n. 297 was very high. In contrast, in the case of B. bassiana n. 326 mortality due to reduced doses remained at low rates. This laboratory study demonstrated that the isolate, B. bassiana n. 297 might have potential as microbial control agent against the assassin bugs.