Evaluation of an Entomopathogenic Bacterium, Fungus, and Virus for Control of Heliothis zea on Soybeans12

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Abstract
In 1975, populations of larvae of Heliothis zea (Boddie) feeding on caged soybeans were reduced 92–100% by the nuclear polyhedrosis virus Baculovirus heliothis, 69–96% by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, and 19–77% by the fungus Nomuraea rileyi Samson. Results were similar when evaluations were based upon number of damaged pods and damaged seeds. In 1976, an autodispersal technique (release of virus-infected larvae) reduced populations of larvae and adults 99 and 98%, respectively; the most effective spray treatment reduced them 96 and 90%, respectively. The average percentage reductions in pod damage, seed damage or yield-loss obtained with the autodispersal treatment were equal to or greater than those obtained with the best spray treatment.