The viability (germination capability) and virulence of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill strain 447 was assessed after long term storage at a low temperature.. The experiments were initiated at the Laboratory of Insect Pathology of the Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Zoology, ESALQ-USP (Piracicaba, SP) and concluded at the Laboratory of Insect Pathology, Department of Agronomy UFRPE (Recife, PE) conducted from May 1992 to January 1999. The fungus was produced on rice, and pure conidia with 15. 5 % RH was stored in a freezer at -7±1ºC. The conidial viability and virulence towards Diatraea saccharalis larvae after 0, 5, 8, 50, 75 and 80 months of storage were evaluated. The stored fungus maintained 100% viability in all tratments and freezing was proven a good procedure for storing pure conidia of B. bassiana for at least 80 months. LT50 and mortality rate were 3.02 days and 92%, 3.86 and 96%, 3.97 and 92%, 4.05 and 94% and 3.97 and 96%, 4.10 days and 94%, respectively.
Insecta; entomopathogenic fungus; storage; sugarcane borer
