Effects of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bal.) Vuill. on behavior, oviposition, and susceptibility to secondary infections of adult Cerotoma arcuata (Oliver, 1791) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Beauveria bassiana, isolated from field populations of Cerotoma arcuata in Amazonas, Brazil, was evaluated for the control of the latter species in the laboratory. Feeding damage to cowpea [Vigna unguiculata] leaves did not differ between treated and untreated adults of C. arcuata for 7 days after treatment, although there was a slight decline in feeding activity shortly before death. Neither oviposition nor percentage viability of eggs differed between infected and uninfected individuals. Mortality of C. arcuata was not affected by exposure to the secondary or opportunistic pathogens, Serratia marcescens and Aspergillus sp., 3 days after treatment with B. bassiana. A reduction in the sporulation of B. bassiana occurred in apparently stressed chrysomelids that were exposed to opportunistic pathogens.