Showing papers on "Infestation published in 2011"

An epidemiological survey on investigation of tick infestation in cattle at Chittagong District, Bangladesh

Abstract: management of cattle, seasons of the year, topography of the area and different body parts of the host. A total number of 380 cattle were examined, of which 138 (36.31%) cattle were found infested. Three species of ticks were identified namely Boophilus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. The range of tick burden was 1 to 7 per four square inch of heavily infested area of Chittagong District. Mean tick burden was also high in case of B. microplus (2.77 ± 0.18) followed by H. bispinosa (1.03 ± 0.12) and R. sanguineus (0.83 ± 0.10). Prevalence was significantly (p 1.5 years of age (27.80%). Infestation of tick was significantly higher (p<0.01) in female (59.37%) than the male (35.83%) cattle. Tick infestation was more prevalent in local (43.82%) cattle than the cross-bred (24.13%) cattle. Field grazing (41.96%) cattle were more susceptible (p<0.01) to tick infestation than the stall-feeding (24.8%) animals. Prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (p<0.01) higher in summer (41.66%) season followed by winter (31.5%) season. Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body such as ear, neck, tail, mammary gland, udder, groin and perianal region of which groin (48.75%) was most affected parts of animal body and face and neck (30%) was the least. Prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (p<0.01) higher in hilly area (44.44%) followed by plain area (30.27%). It is concluded that B. microplus is the main tick species identified and threatening to the cattle population in Chittagong District irrespective of age, sex, breed of the animal, seasons of the year and topography of the study area.

Testing the importance of jasmonate signalling in induction of plant defences upon cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) attack

Abstract: Background Phloem-feeding aphids deprive plants of assimilates, but mostly manage to avoid causing the mechanical tissue damage inflicted by chewing insects. Nevertheless, jasmonate signalling that is induced by infestation is important in mediating resistance to phloem feeders. Aphid attack induces the jasmonic acid signalling pathway, but very little is known about the specific impact jasmonates have on the expression of genes that respond to aphid attack.

Sociodemographic characteristics and risk factor analysis of Demodex infestation (Acari: Demodicidae).

Abstract: To identify sociodemographic characteristics and risk factor of Demodex infestation, 756 students aged 13-22 years in Xi'an, China were sampled for the school-based cross-sectional study. Demodex was examined using the cellophane tape method (CTP). The results showed that the total detection rate of Demodex was 67.6%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that five variables (gender, residence, sharing sanitary ware, frequency of face-wash per day, and use of facial cleanser) were found to be uncorrelated with Demodex infestation, whereas three variables (age, skin type, and skin disease) were found to be independent correlates. Students aged over 18 years had 22.1 times higher odds of Demodex infestation compared to those under 16 years and students aged 16-18 years also had 2.1 times higher odds compared to those aged 13-15 years. Odds of having a Demodex infestation for oily or mixed skin were 2.1 times those for dry or neutral skin. Students with a facial skin disease had 3.0 times higher odds of being infested with Demodex compared to those without. The inception rate of students with facial dermatoses increased in parallel with increasing mite count. The inception rates were 21.3%, 40.7%, 59.2%, and 67.7% in the negative, mild, moderate, and severe infestation groups, respectively (χ(2)=60.6, P<0.001). Specifically, the amount of infested mites and inception rate of acne vulgaris were positively correlated (R(2)=0.57, moderate infestation odds ratio (OR)=7.1, severe infestation OR=10.3). It was concluded that Demodex prevalence increases with age, and Demodex presents in nearly all adult human. Sebaceous hyperplasia with oily or mixed skin seems to favour Demodex proliferation. Demodex infestation could be associated with acne vulgaris. The CTP is a good sampling method for studies of Demodex prevalence.

Epidemiology of scabies prevalence in the U.K. from general practice records

Abstract: Summary Background Scabies is a contagious parasitic infestation which causes an allergic reaction to just a few mites. Objectives To examine the epidemiology of scabies consultations in the U.K. by age, sex, region of the country and time. Methods Data were obtained from the THIN (The Health Information Network) database provided by EPIC U.K. in which each consultation episode is coded according to a ‘READ’ code. Data were available for 1997–2005 inclusive (9 years) for approximately 8·5% of the U.K. population from 12 regions of the U.K. We used harmonic analysis to model the data over time and derived cycle amplitudes and phases for each region in the U.K. Results There was a significantly greater infestation rate among females with a relative risk of 1·24 (P < 0·001) relative to males. The age group 10–19 years had the highest infestation rates (with rates of 4·55 per 1000 and 5·92 per 1000 for males and females, respectively). The middle age groups had the smallest infestation rates. A cycle with length of between 15 and 17 years was derived, and the phase times of the cycles for each region suggested a progression of the disease originating from the North East, spreading to Northern parts of the U.K. and then to the Midlands and the South. Conclusions The study confirms earlier studies with regard to the age/sex distribution of scabies. We suggest a contagious pattern of spread of scabies infestation in the U.K. with an epidemic cycle length of 15–17 years.

Direct evidence of surface infestation of seeds and tubers by Plasmodiophora brassicae and quantification of spore loads

Abstract: Using quantitative PCR, DNA of Plasmodiophora brassicae, the causal agent of clubroot, was detected and quantified on canola, pea and wheat seeds, as well as on potato tubers, all harvested from clubroot-infested fields in Alberta, Canada. Quantifiable levels of infestation were found on seven of the 46 samples analysed, and ranged from <1·0 × 103 to 3·4 × 104 resting spores per 10 g seeds; the vast majority (80–100%) of resting spores on these samples were viable, as determined by Evan’s blue vital staining. However, the levels of infestation found were generally lower than that required to cause consistent clubroot symptoms in greenhouse plant bioassays. While the occurrence of P. brassicae resting spores on seeds and tubers harvested from clubroot-infested fields suggests that seedborne dissemination of this pathogen is possible, practices such as commercial seed cleaning may be sufficient to effectively mitigate this risk.

Distribution of Ixodid Ticks on Cattle in and Around Holeta Town, Ethiopia

Abstract: The study was conducted from October, 2010 to March, 2011 in Holeta and Adaberga dairy farms and their surrounding kebeles in Ethiopia with the objectives of determining the ixodid tick species prevalence in the area, assessing the difference in infestation among the cattle breeds and farming system and evaluating the predilection site of ticks on the host. Out of the total of 1209 cattle examined, 310 (25.64%) were found to be infested by one or more tick species. About 1831 ticks were collected and subjected to genus assignment then they were grouped into four genera; namely Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus, Boophilus and Hyalomma and five species were identified. The relative prevalence of each species was Amblyomma variegatum (45.49%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (29.29%), Boophilus decoloratus (18.13%), Amblyomma coherence (5.02%) and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (1.86%). The prevalence of tick infestation was found to be significantly different (P<0.05) among the three breeds with highest prevalence in Local breed (44.96%) than both Cross (15.83%) and Jersey (8.50%) breed. Similarly, tick infestation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cattle kept under extensive production system (45.40%) than in those kept under semi-intensive (10.06%) farming system. The present information on the common tick species contributes its part in the development of best control strategies of tick and tick borne diseases in the study area.

Limitations of selective deltamethrin application for triatomine control in central coastal Ecuador

Abstract: This year-long study evaluated the effectiveness of a strategy involving selective deltamethrin spraying and community education for control of Chagas disease vectors in domestic units located in rural communities of coastal Ecuador. Surveys for triatomines revealed peridomestic infestation with Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Panstrongylus howardi, with infestation indices remaining high during the study (13%, 17%, and 10%, at initial, 6-month, and 12-month visits, respectively), which indicates a limitation of this strategy for triatomine population control. Infestation was found 6 and 12 months after spraying with deltamethrin. In addition, a large number of previously vector-free domestic units also were found infested at the 6- and 12-month surveys, which indicates new infestations by sylvatic triatomines. The predominance of young nymphs and adults suggests new infestation events, likely from sylvatic foci. In addition, infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was found in 65%, 21% and 29% at initial, 6-month and 12-month visits, respectively. All parasites isolated (n = 20) were identified as TcI. New vector control strategies need to be devised and evaluated for reduction of T. cruzi transmission in this region.

The effect of plant defense elicitors on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growth and yield in absence or presence of spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) infestation

Abstract: Foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on common bean plants before or after two spotted spider mite infestation proved to be effective in reducing infestations. In most concentrations these elicitors significantly improved common bean plant growth i.e. had a positive effect on plant height, number of branches, shoot dry weight and leaf area per plant and bean yield. SA at 100 mg/l had the strongest positive effect. Moreover, application of elicitors significantly altered leaflet anatomical characters i.e. increased thickness of leaflet blade, thickness of palisade and spongy parenchyma as well as thickness of midrib region of the leaflet and changed the dimension of vascular bundles. Alternatively, TSSM infestation had the opposite effect on these leaflet anatomical characters.

Risk factor analysis for sea lice, Caligus rogercresseyi, levels in farmed salmonids in southern Chile

Abstract: Sea lice, Caligus rogercresseyi, are ectoparasitic copepods, which severely affect the salmon farming industry in southern Chile, reducing the health status of fish and producing both direct and indirect economic losses. Local farmers have reported increasing infestation levels since 2004, reaching a peak in 2007. In response to this situation, the Chilean Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) developed a surveillance programme; the first step of which consisted of a general survey of salmon farms. This survey included documenting counts of parasite burdens on fish and measurements of several husbandry and environmental factors providing an evaluation of risk factors for the observed infestation levels. The information collected was analysed using a linear mixed model technique, which takes into account the clustered structure of data, decomposing the unexplained variation and assigning it to different aggregation levels of the productive system. Geographical zones, fish species, treatment against sea lice performed 1 month before sampling, stocking density, fish weight and water salinity were the variables significantly associated with sea lice burdens. In contrast, treatments performed 2-3 months before sampling, use of photoperiod in sea cages and water temperature, were not significant. There was significant unexplained variation at all aggregation levels, i.e. sub-zone, fish farm and cage level, with the fish farm level showing the greatest variation.

Host Ranges and Infestation Indices of Fruit Flies (Tephritidae) and Lance Flies (Lonchaeidae) in São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract: The knowledge of the status of the different fruit fly species and their hosts is essential to manage these insects. This work reports the associations of tephritoid fly species (Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) with fruits collected from 67 municipalities in Sa;o Paulo State, Brazil. From Mar 1997 to Sep 2003, a total of 536 fruit samples was collected from 63 plant species in 28 botanical families. From overall collections, the average infestation index ranged from 0.01 to 22.98 pupae per fruit. The highest infestation was observed in Cucurbita moschata (Dusc.) Poir, followed by Mangifera indica Linnaeus and Passiflora alata Curtis, with 107.14, 59.00, and 38.50 pupae/ fruit, respectively. The pupae/kg of fruit index ranged from 0.01 in Manihot esculenta Crantz to 277.91 in Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. In total 43,104 pupae and 26,368 adults of Tephritoidea were recovered from all collections. The following Tephritoidea adults were observed: Anastrepha amita Zucchi, Anastrepha bahiensis Lima, Anas...

Differential preference of Capsicum spp. cultivars by Aphis gossypii is conferred by variation in volatile semiochemistry

Abstract: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that Capsicum spp. cultivars are differentially preferred by the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and to investigate the role of volatile semiochemicals in conferring differences in host preferences. Two preference assays were conducted in 2008 under greenhouse conditions. Fourteen different commercially available cultivars were grown in cages protected by an anti-aphid net, and were infested 60 days after planting, through the release of ten adult female A. gossypii per plant. The results showed that after a five-day infestation period, statistically significant differences in the mean number of A. gossypii between cultivars were observed, with Sweet Pepper Hybrid Green Belt (SPHGB) being one of the cultivars with the lowest number of A. gossypii per plant. To test the hypothesis that the preference of cultivars was associated with release of volatile, Capsicum spp-derived semiochemicals, olfactometer behavior bioassays were conducted with A. gossypii, using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected from non-preferred SPHGB and preferred SPAB cultivars. A. gossypii was significantly repelled only by the VOCs of infested SPHGB. Furthermore, coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of VOCs released by plants prior to, and after, A. gossypii infestation, revealed that the non-preferred SPHGB cultivar released nine additional compounds after infestation, including 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, a known plant defense semiochemical involved in plant—aphid interactions. These data suggest that non-preferred cultivars releasing this semiochemical have the potential to be used in breeding programs aimed at producing A. gossypii-resistant Capsicum spp. cultivars.

Dinâmica populacional e incidência de moscas-das-frutas e parasitoides em cultivares de pessegueiros (Prunus Persica L. Batsch) no município de presidente prudente-sp

Abstract: - The objectives of this research were evaluate the population dynamic and diversity of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea) on peach cultivars Tropical, Talisma, Aurora 2, Aurora 1, Dourado 2 and Docura 2, under the rootstocks ‘Okinawa’ and Ume, in Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The dynamic popula-tion of fruit flies was correlated with temperature and precipitation. The fruit fly infestation was correlated with chemical characteristics of fruits. During July 2004 to December 2006, the fruit fly population was monitored weekly using McPhail traps. The natural infestation was estimated from 30 fruits of each cultivar collected per year. The experiment was conducted under randomized design with five replications. Ceratitis capitata was dominant on peach cultivars for the both rootstocks. No significant correlations were detected between the fruit fly densities and the temperature and precipitation, and the variables soluble solids and titratable acidity. Among peach cultivars, Aurora 2 presented the highest infestation by C. capitata, reach-ing 22% and 23%, in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Neosilba spp. (Lonchaeidae) was also recovered from peaches. Doryctobracon areolatus (Braconidae), Tetrastichus giffardianus (Eulophidae) and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Pteromalidae) were recovered from Tephritidae pulparium.Index-terms: peach, rootstocks, population dynamic, Tephritidae, Lonchaeidae.

Tick infestation (Acari: Ixodidae) in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from northwestern Spain: Population dynamics and risk stratification

Abstract: During the 2007 and 2008 hunting seasons (April–October) the skin of 367 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.), hunted in different preserves from Galicia (Northwestern Spain), were examined for ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). The overall prevalence of infestation by ticks was 83.1%. The predominant species was Ixodes ricinus (83.1%), whereas a single Dermacentor marginatus specimen appeared in one roe deer. All developmental stages of I. ricinus were found parasitizing roe deer, the adults being the most frequent (82.2%), followed by nymphs (45.6%) and larvae (27.2%). The mean intensity of infestation by I. ricinus was 43.2 ± 49.85; most of them were adults (30.7 ± 31.64) and in a lesser extend nymphs (16.9 ± 24.74) and larvae (10.7 ± 29.90). Ixodes ricinus was present all over the study with percentages that oscillated between 100% in spring and 57.4% in autumn. CHAID algorithm showed the sex of roe deer as the most influential factor in tick prevalence, followed by the climatic area. The different developmental stages of I. ricinus were more frequent in males than in females, and the prevalence of adults and larvae were higher in roe deer from coastal areas than in those from mountainous and central areas, whereas nymphs were more frequent in mountainous areas. Host age and density were not determinants for tick infestation. Our results confirm that roe deer are important hosts for I. ricinus in northwestern Spain, serving as a vehicle for the geographic distribution of these ticks.

Impact of insecticides on parasitoids of the leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, in pepper in south Texas.

Abstract: Liriomyza leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are cosmopolitan, polyphagous pests of horticultural plants and many are resistant to insecticides Producers in South Texas rely on insecticides as the primary management tool for leafminers, and several compounds are available The objective of this study is to address the efficacy of these compounds for controlling Liriomyza while minimizing their effects against natural enemies Research plots were established at Texas AgriLife research center at Weslaco, Texas in fall 2007 and spring 2008 seasons, and peppers were used as a model crop Plots were sprayed with novaluron, abamectin, spinetoram, lambda-cyhalothrin and water as treatments according to leafminer infestation; insecticide efficacy was monitored by collecting leaves and infested foliage Plant phenology was also monitored Novaluron was the most effective insecticide and lambda-cyhalothrin showed resurgence in leafminer density in fall 2007 and no reduction in spring 2008 Other compounds varied in efficacy Novaluron showed the least number of parasitoids per leafminer larva and the lowest parasitoid diversity index among treatments followed by spinetoram Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) was the sole leafminer species on peppers, and 19 parasitoid species were found associated with this leafminer Application of these insecticides for management of leafminers with conservation of natural enemies is discussed

Prevalence of ectoparasites infestation in indigenous free-ranging village chickens in different agroecological zones in Kenya

Abstract: Ectoparasitism is an important factor associated with poor production of village indigenous chickens. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in free ranging indigenous chicken from two different agro-ecological zones: Lower highland 1 (LH1) in Embu District and Lower midland 5 (LM5) in Mbeere District, Kenya. A total of 144 chickens of matched age (chicks, growers and adults) and sex groups were examined for the presence of ectoparasites. Of these, 138 (95.8%) had one or more types of ectoparasites, namely; lice, mites, fleas and soft ticks. One thirty one birds had lice, 107 mites, 42 sticktight fleas and 8 had soft ticks. Of the 138 infested birds, 25 had single while 113 had mixed infestations. Lice were the most prevalent parasites. The study documents Epidermoptes species, Laminosioptes cysticola and Megninia species for the first time in Africa as well as Lipeurus caponis and Goniodes gigas in Kenya. All adult birds were infected with ectoparasites followed by 97.7% grower and 89.6% chicks. Both male and female birds had same prevalence (95.8%) of ectoparasites. Lower midland 5 had a slightly higher prevalence of ectoparasites (98.6%) compared to LH1 (93.1%) though not statistically significant. Parasite intensity was significantly different among age groups of chicken and between agro-ecological zones (p<0.05), but not between sexes of birds (p>0.05). Because of the high prevalence of ectoparasites revealed by this study, it is imperative that integrated control strategies need to be put in place to improve chicken productivity and enhance smallholder livelihood in these areas.

Geostatistical analysis of the spatial variation of the berry borer and leaf miner in a coffee agroecosystem

Abstract: The advent of geostatistics and geographical information systems has made it possible to analyze complex spatial patterns of ecological phenomena over large areas in applied insect ecology and pest management. The objective of this study was to use geostatistics to characterize the spatial structure and map the spatial variation of damage caused by the berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) and leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella) in a coffee agroecosystem planted with the cultivar Catuai Vermelho IAC-99. Infestations of berry borer and leaf miner were evaluated in fruits and leaves, respectively. The pests were monitored at 67 georeferenced points in an area of 6.6 ha in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Variograms estimated by the method of moments (MoM) and residual maximum likelihood REML were compared. The latter were generally better in terms of the kriging error coefficients. Spherical variograms estimated by REML for berry borer infestation in fruits had ranges of spatial dependence of 34.62–118.4 m and for the leaf miner they were 53.93–133.7 m. For models fitted by weighted ordinary least squares (OLS) to the MoM experimental variogram, the ranges varied between 37.22 and 68.67 m for the berry borer and 100 and 155.4 m for leaf miner infestation. The variogram model parameters were used with the data for ordinary kriging to map the spatial variation of coffee pests for different monitoring periods. If there was no suitable variogram, inverse distance weighting was used to map the variation. The maps enabled visualization of the intensity of infestation of the insect pests for the different periods evaluated.

Quantification of avoidable yield losses in oilseed brassica caused by insect pests

Abstract: A six year field study was conducted from 2001-2002 to 2006-2007 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India to study the losses in seed yield of different Brassica species (B. juncea, B. napus, B. carinata, B. rapa and Eruca sativa) by the infestation of insect pests. The experiment was conducted in two different sets viz. protected/sprayed and unprotected, in a randomized block design, with three replications. Data on the infestation of insect pests, and seed yield were recorded at weekly intervals and at harvest, respectively. The loss in seed yield, due to mustard aphid and cabbage caterpillar, varied from 6.5 to 26.4 per cent. E. sativa suffered the least loss in seed yield and harboured the minimum population of mustard aphid (2.1 aphids/plant) and cabbage caterpillar (2.4 larvae/plant). On the other hand, B. carinata was highly susceptible to the cabbage caterpillar (26.2 larvae/plant) and suffered the maximum yield loss (26.4%).

Parasitism of lepidopterous stem borers in cultivated and natural habitats.

Abstract: Plant infestation, stem borer density, parasitism, and parasitoid abundance were assessed during two years in two host plants, Zea mays (L.) (Cyperales: Poaceae) and Sorghum bicolor (L.) (Cyperales: Poaceae), in cultivated habitats. The four major host plants (Cyperus spp., Panicum spp., Pennisetum spp., and Sorghum spp.) found in natural habitats were also assessed, and both the cultivated and natural habitat species occurred in four agroecological zones in Kenya. Across habitats, plant infestation (23.2%), stem borer density (2.2 per plant), and larval parasitism (15.0%) were highest in maize in cultivated habitats. Pupal parasitism was not higher than 4.7% in both habitats, and did not vary with locality during each season or with host plant between each season. Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) and C. flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were the key parasitoids in cultivated habitats (both species accounted for 76.4% of parasitized stem borers in cereal crops), but not in natural habitats (the two Cotesia species accounted for 14.5% of parasitized stem borers in wild host plants). No single parasitoid species exerted high parasitism rates on stem borer populations in wild host plants. Low stem borer densities across seasons in natural habitats indicate that cereal stem borer pests do not necessarily survive the non-cropping season feeding actively in wild host plants. Although natural habitats provided refuges for some parasitoid species, stem borer parasitism was generally low in wild host plants. Overall, because parasitoids contribute little in reducing cereal stem borer pest populations in cultivated habitats, there is need to further enhance their effectiveness in the field to regulate these pests.

Peroxidase activity after viral infection and whitefly infestation in juvenile and mature leaves of solanum lycopersicum

Abstract: Whitefly infestation and the begomoviruses that they transmit have been shown to affect the activities of plant defence proteins, but with no relation to heterophylly, a process of great importance underlying the overall biology of plants. Here, we have assessed the effects of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) infection on Solanum lycopersicum peroxidase (POD) activity and have examined whether leaves of different ages exhibit differential POD activity in response to infection and infestation with Bemisia tabaci B biotype. We used leaf discs of two ages (juvenile and mature) with two different infection statuses (infected and healthy) to examine the activity of the tomato plant peroxidase using guaiacol as a substrate and taking exposure time into account. S. lycopersicum showed increased POD activity in the presence of TYLCV. The activity of the enzyme was higher in mature than in juvenile leaves. In general, both infected and healthy leaves exhibited greater POD activity during whitefly infestation. In the infested juvenile leaves, POD activity was much lower in the healthy leaves and increased gradually with period of exposure to B. tabaci B infestation. In contrast, the activity of the enzyme remained low in infested mature leaves in both the presence and absence of the virus even with increased exposure time. Determination of the distribution of an insect pest is critical for sampling and management. Leaf age is presumed to be associated with the within-host distribution of the geminivirus vector B. tabaci. Juvenile leaves will usually attract more insects due to increased nutritional value and weaker defences. Our results highlight the importance of leaf age/position on the whitefly – host plant – geminivirus interactions and have important implications for sampling and control strategies.

Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) as a control of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) emerging from fallen, infested coffee berries on the ground

Abstract: The effects of Beauveria bassiana strains on coffee berry borers (CBB), which emerge from infested berries left on soil, and its impact on the infestation of coffee berries on tree branches were evaluated at two Experimental Stations (Naranjal-Caldas and Paraguaicito-Quindio) in the Colombian coffee zone. Using a completely randomized design with 10 repetitions, 50 coffee berries artificially infested with CBB were placed on the base of a coffee tree. Four treatments including B. bassiana strain Bb9205, a mixture of Cenicafe strains (Bb9001, Bb9024 and Bb9119), a commercial formulation of B. bassiana and a control (water) were sprayed with 1×109 conidia per tree. After 30 days, all fungal strains lowered the infestation levels of the coffee berries on the trees at both locations. The mixture of Cenicafe strains decreased the tree infestation between 50 and 30% at both locations. In the berries dissected from each treated tree, insect mortality was about 40% at both locations compared to 15% in th...