The objective of this work was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana to Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) nymphs, and to check the compatibility of the fungus with phytosanitary products, and its persistence in citrus plants. Nymphs of D. citri were sprayed with B. bassiana in the concentrations 5x10(6), 1x10(7), 5x10(7), 1x10(8), 5x10(8) and 1x10(9) conidia mL-1 for lethal concentration determination. In order to evaluate the compatibility of the phytosanitary products with the fungus, neem extract and five insecticides of four different chemical groups were individually added to PDA culture medium, in which the fungus was cultivated. Vegetative growth, sporulation and viability of the entomopathogen were evaluated. In the greenhouse, citrus plants were first treated with the phytosanitary products and, then, with the pathogen. Exposure times of 24 hours, 7 and 14 days were evaluated. Fungus pathogenicity to D. citri nymphs was confirmed; LC50 of 0.4 x10(7) and LC90 of 6.7 x10(7) conidia mL-1 were determined at the tenth day of evaluation. In the laboratory, the phytosanitary products reduced fungus growth. In greenhouse, the products did not affect fungus survival on citrus plants.
biological control; entomopathogenic fungi; greening; huanglongbing; citrus psyllid
