LAUSR

BACKGROUND The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is an insect pest of rice (Oryza sativa) that is distributed worldwide and is responsible for significant losses in crop yield. Of particular concern, N. lugens has developed high resistance to several commonly used insecticides. The entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria javanica, offers an alternative to insecticides for the control of rice plant pests. RESULTS We show that I. javanica caused high mortality of N. lugens nymphs and reduced the survival and fecundity of newly emerged adults from I. javanica-treated insects. I. javanica persisted on plants up to 17 d after its inoculation in greenhouse conditions carried out in summer and autumn. Rice metabolites supported conidial germination and mycelia growth of I. javanica. A granular formulation of I. javanica conidia controlled N. lugens populations in a field experiment. The granular formulation promoted fungal survival and growth in the field up to 28 d post-inoculation, resulting in increased fungal persistence and greater pest control coverage. CONCLUSION These data indicate that a granular formulation of I. javanica is able to control N. lugens populations in rice fields. Therefore, this granular formulation can be an alternative to insecticides and be used in organic fields. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.