IMPACT OF BIOPESTICIDE BEAUVERIA BASSIANA (BALSAMO) VUILLEMIN ON BEHAVIOR OF TERMITE ODONTOTERMES OBESUS (R.) CASTEANJANA INTODIA, ARTI PRASAD AND BHARATI VEERWALAbstract Termites are injurious to crops plantation, fruits, forest trees, grasses etc. Since termites mostly live in hidden quarters they are often difficult to be detected and approached. Due to long persistence of residual chemical insecticides in soil and their possible entry in food chain, recently there is more emphasis on characterization of biocontrol agents for control of termites that are safer and environment friendly. The behavioral response of an insect to a fungal pathogen will have a direct effect on the efficacy of the fungus as a biological control agent. In our study, we have applied various doses of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana as an ecofriendly approach on various caste of termite Odontotermes obesus to see the behavioral changes. After undergoing fungal application, the termite castes depicted many behavioral changes. The observed abnormal behaviors were reduction in speed, disorientation, lethargic behavior, distorted behavior and moribundity. After exposure to different concentrations of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo), the primary reproductives (both male and female) of termite also revealed the abnormal behavior. |