Evaluation of the biocontrol potential of native Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) species against the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick) on chilli peppers in Ghana

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2254-8854/2026/a24601

Keywords:

Entomopathogenic fungi, Mycopesticides , Humidity, Pathogenicity, Virulence

Abstract

The false codling moth (FCM, Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick) is a major constraint on chilli pepper production and export in Ghana. Although chemical pesticides remain the main control strategy, their effectiveness is limited and export restrictions on synthetic residues highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. To address this challenge, the virulence of seven native Metarhizium isolates (UGKAP1, UGJKCS9, UGJKCS10, UGNAKC1, UGAFMF20, UGAFMF8 and UGSUHC1) obtained from agricultural fields in Ghana against final instar FCMs at 1 × 108 conidia/mL was evaluated via conidial-sand assays, and compared with that of two USDA ARSEF isolates (Beauveria bassiana ARSEF 252 and Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato ARSEF 4570). As abiotic environmental factors can affect fungal efficacy, the influence of humidity on the infectivity of four selected isolates (UGJKCS9, UGJKCS10, UGSUHC1 and UGAFMF20) was assessed. All seven native isolates caused > 80% pupal mortality within 21 days. The pupal mortality rates of ARSEF 252 and ARSEF 4570 were 49% and 57%, respectively. The most virulent isolate, UGJKCS9, exhibited an LC50 of 2.7 × 106 conidia/mL and an LT50 of 3 days. High pupal mortality (82–100% at 105 and 107 conidia/mL) occurred across all tested humidity levels (43%, 75% and 98% RH) for all four isolates. These results indicate that the tested isolates, particularly UGJKCS9, exhibit strong potential as sustainable alternative control agents for FCMs in Ghana, warranting further evaluation under field conditions for integration into chilli pepper pest management programmes.

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Author Biographies

  • Daniel Ameyaw, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    MPHIL Candidate, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana

  • Vincent Yao Eziah, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    Associate Professor, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana

  • Laith Khalil Tawfeeq Al-Ani, School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

     

    School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

  • Patricia Akua Sitsofe Nyahe, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    MPHIL Candidate, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana

  • Candice Anne Coombes, Centre for Biological Control (CBC), Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa.

    Lecturer, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University

  • Medetissi Adom, African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    Postdoctoral Researcher, African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

  • Ken Okwae Fening, African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    Associate Professor of Agricultural Entomology, ARPPIS, University of Ghana

  • Maxwell Kelvin Billah, African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    Associate Professor, ARPPIS, University of Ghana

  • Michael Yao Osae, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    Associate Professor, BNARI, Ghana Atomic Energy

  • Drauzio Eduardo Naretto Rangel, Inbioter – Institute of Biotechnology Rangel, Itatiba, Brazil.

    Professor

  • Dalia Sukmawati, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Rawamangun, Indonesia.

    Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Rawamangun, Indonesia.

  • Owusu Fordjour Aidoo, Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.

    Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.

  • Mavis Agyeiwaa Acheampong, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

    Senior Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana

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2026-03-02

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Vol. 34 No. 1 (2026): African Entomology Vol. 34 Issue 1

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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Ameyaw, Vincent Yao Eziah, Laith Khalil Tawfeeq Al-Ani, Patricia Akua Sitsofe Nyahe, Candice Anne Coombes, Medetissi Adom, Ken Okwae Fening, Maxwell Kelvin Billah, Michael Yao Osae, Drauzio Eduardo Naretto Rangel, Dalia Sukmawati, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo, Mavis Agyeiwaa Acheampong

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Ameyaw D, Eziah VY, Al-Ani LKT, Nyahe PAS, Coombes CA, Adom M, et al. Evaluation of the biocontrol potential of native Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) species against the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick) on chilli peppers in Ghana. Afr. Entomol. [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 2 [cited 2026 Mar. 17];34(1). Available from: https://www.africanentomology.com/article/view/24601

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