Characterization of a newly discovered China variety of Metarhizium anisopliae (M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium) for virulence to termites, isoenzyme, and phylogenic analysis

Abstract

The efficacy of a new virulent Metarhizium anisopliae variety (M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium, DQ288247) obtained from Odontotermes formosanus in China was evaluated against the subterranean termite, O. formosanus, in the laboratory. The new variety was compared with four other virulent M. anisopliae isolates and was found to be highly infectious and virulent against termites. M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium could cause approximately 100% mortality of termites 3 days post-inoculation in the concentration of 3x10(8) conidia/ml. There were also differences in relative hyhal growth and isoenzymes. M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium showed a different isoenzyme band pattern from the four isolates of M. anisopliae (AB027337, AB099510, AB099941 and AF280631). The phylogenetic tree of the 18S rDNA sequences revealed the taxonomic and evolutionary position of M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium. M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium and four isolates of M. anisopliae formed a monophyletic group, supported by a 99% bootstrap value. M. anisopliae var. dcjhyium formed a distinct variety, which had a special characterization of unique bands of isoenzyme, high virulence and low repellency against termites when compared with four other isolates of M. anisopliae.

Characterization of Metarhizium species and varieties based on molecular analysis, heat tolerance and cold activity

“…Recently, varieties have been designated within M. anisopliae : viz., acridum , anisopliae , lepidiotum , majus , dcjhyium ; and in M. flavoviride : viz., flavoviride , pemphigum , minus , novazealandicum , and M. flavoviride Type E (Driver et al. 2000; Dong et al. 2007).…”

Biopesticidal Formulation Of Beauveria Bassiana Effective Against Larvae Of Helicoverpa Armigera.

“…Laboratory bioassay by Chandler and Davidson [8], documented higher mortality in M. anisopliae (ARSEF 7487) than L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037) in all soil based studies.…”

“…[3,4], Beauveria bassiana [5][6][7] and Metarhizium anisopliae [8][9][10][11] have been effectively used to control aphids, lepidopteron larvae and other pests.…”

Subterranean Termites of the Oklahoma Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Cross Timbers

“…Common biological control measures employ natural enemies of termites such as parasites, pathogens, or predators (Grace 1997). Recent studies have shown the detrimental effects of various entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria on termites (Neves and Alves 2000, Osbrink et al 2001b, Dong et al 2007, Maketon et al 2007). …”