Cozzi, G., Stornelli, C., Moretti, A., Logrieco, A., & Porcelli, F. 2002 Field evaluation of Fusarium larvarum formulations in the biocontrol of Saissetia oleae on olive in Apulia.. Acta Horticulturae 586: 811-814.

Notes: The efficacy of field strains of F. larvarum (ITEM 2135 and ITEM 2139), isolated from adults of the almond scale insect Suturaspis archangelskyae, was evaluated in Apulia (southern Italy) from 1993 to 1998 as biological control agents against populations of Saissetia oleae. Assays were conducted using a solid formulation obtained by growing fungal cultures on rice at 25 deg C for 4 weeks. Suspensions of the fungal formulations were spread on olive branches infested by S. oleae. Significant insecticidal effect was observed. At 7 days after treatment, the formulations reduced S. oleae populations by 65 to 70%, regardless of the rate of colony forming unit used. After 30 days, a significant control of crawlers and second instar larvae was obtained except with ITEM 2135 with the lowest CFU, indicating that the insecticidal activity was significantly reduced with time. Nevertheless, the insecticidal activity of the formulations was evident even after 80 days.