ABSTRACT
The fungus Sporothrix insectorum has been used in Brazil for the control of the lace bug Leptopharsa heveae in rubber plantations. L. heveae was first found in São Paulo State in 1995 and since them, its population has grown progressively reaching levels which of recent causes economic damage to the rubber crop. This research was conducted in the laboratory of biological control, at the Centro Experimental Central do Instituto Biológico to access a system that allows the maximization of the fungus production. Four temperatures (22, 25, 28 and 31°C) and 3 light regimes (24 and 12 hours of lightness, and 24 hours of darkness) were investigated with respect to the growth, production and viability of S. insectorum. Colony diameter, concentration and viability of conidia were the parameters considered regarded for the evaluation. The growth and viability of the fungus were highly affected at 31°C, however there was no statistical difference among the other temperature regimes. Conidia production was higher at 28°C. There was no statistical difference among the light patterns, although the conidia production dropped when the pathogen was kept under 24 hours of darkness.
KEY WORDS:
Sporothrix insectorum; Leptopharsa heveae; entomopathogenic fungi; production; rubber tree.