The rice stem bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stal (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is an important pest of irrigated rice (Oryza sativa) crop in Brazil. The effect of isolates (CP) of the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Bb) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. (Ma) was evaluated in the field using cages. In the 1st and 2nd experiments, conidial suspensions at dosages equivalents to 10(13) conidia/ha, were sprayed on the soil and on rice plant stems, where the bugs were concentrated. Significant mortality (M) was caused by isolates CPBb164, CPMa171 and, mainly, by CPMa172 (46,5% < M < 88,7%). In the 3rd experiment, conidial sprays and broadcast of fungus on inoculated grain rice at 10(13) conidia/ha were evaluated.. Both applications were effective (42,7% < M < 70,8%) in controlling the insect.
Insecta; Heteroptera; Pentatomidae; Oryza sativa; microbial control
