Impact of magnetic fields on the entomopathogenic activity of Beauveria bassiana and the biological and biochemical responses of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 08 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejar.2025.431206.1744 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mervat A Kandil* ; Rania M. El-Shennawy; Dalia E. Lotfy; Hanady S. E. Nasr | ||
| Plant Protection Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Using magnetic fields for pest management requires a radical knowledge of their effects on insect behaviour and anatomy. This study evaluated the impact of magnetic fields on pathogenic efficacy of the white muscardine fungus, Beauveria bassiana, against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) second-instar larvae. The fungus suspension was prepared using sterile water with 0.05% Tween 80, before and after magnetization. Magnetized suspensions of fungi displayed improved bioactivity with higher larval mortality (71.7%) compared to their non-magnetized ones (58%) and untreated controls (7%). Toxicity varied for LC50 values (9x105 unmagnetized fungus and 2x105 conidia/mL for magnetized fungus), with longer immature developmental periods for magnetized fungi (39.0 days) than unmagnified fungi (34.6 days). Biochemical assays showed significant reductions in treated larvae for total proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, the maximum depletion being that under magnetized fungal treatment. Significant reductions in total proteins (9.33 mg/g), lipids (16.63 mg/g), and carbohydrates (12.9 mg/g) for magnetized fungus treatments in comparison with both non-magnetized fungi (11.2, 14.93, and 26.63 mg/g, respectively) and untreated larvae (14.3, 18.77, and 29.0 mg/g, respectively). Simultaneously, heightened activities of transaminase enzymes (AST and ALT) were observed, reflecting physiological stress responses. The results demonstrate that magnetization enhances B. bassiana's pathogenic impacts, supporting its potential as a novel and efficient tool for sustainable pest management. | ||
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| Keywords | ||
| Spodoptera. littoralis; Beauveria bassiana; fungi; electromagnetic fields; biological and biochemical processes | ||
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