Summary: | The aim of the present study was to evaluate the interactions between <i>Chrysoperla externa</i> (Hagen, 1861) and the eggs and first-instar larvae of <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> (Hübner 1805) infected by entomopathogenic fungi. The <i>H. armigera</i> eggs and larvae were treated with sterile distilled water + 0.01% Tween 80 (T1, control), <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> (Bals.) Vuill (T2), <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> (Metsch.) Sorok (T3), or <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> (Farlow) Samson. (T4) at different concentrations (1 × 10<sup>7</sup>, 1 × 10<sup>8</sup>, and 1 × 10<sup>9</sup> con. mL<sup>−1</sup>). For each treatment, a single third-instar <i>C. externa</i> was offered prey (a combination of 80 eggs and 50 first-instar <i>H. armigera</i> larvae) at 0, 24, and 48 h after inoculation. Ten trials were completed for each treatment, and the entire experiment was repeated three times. Neither the concentrations of fungi nor the application method affected consumption by <i>C. externa</i>. Because all the predator larvae reached the pupal phase, with 100% viability in adults, these results suggest that entomopathogenic fungi and <i>C. externa</i> are compatible and that the simultaneous use of these biological control agents is possible for managing <i>H. armigera</i>.
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