Potential use of microbes as biological control against the cocoa pod borer, Conopomorpha cramerella

The control of cocoa pod borer (CPB), Conopomorpha cramerella Snellen largely relied on pesticides. By increasing the doses of applications, it may lead to further build up of resistance besides being uneconomical. Therefore, there is a need to find an alternative control measures for CPB. The potential use of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) and bacteria as microbial control agents against CPB at different phases of the CPB was explored. The infection of entomopathogenic fungi was best manifested on the adult stage than the pupa, whereas there was no infection on the eggs. Bacterial isolates also could cause mortality on the adults and also deterred the CPB from laying egg.