Susceptibility of three orthopteran species to infection by Metarhizium acridum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae)

Brazil has a long history of using biological control and has the largest program in sugarcane agriculture to which a biocontrol program has been applied. This achievement is at least partly due to the utilization of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium. This well-known fungal genus exhibits pathogenicity against a broad range of arthropod hosts and has been used globally as a biocontrol agent. This fungus is also a root symbiont, and in this capacity, it is a plant growth promoter. However, this feature (i.e., as a plant symbiont) has yet to be fully explored and implemented in Brazil, although the number of reports demonstrating Metarhizium’s utility as a plant bioinoculant is increasing. The Brazilian bioproduct industry targets agricultural pests, and is limited to two Metarhizium species represented by four fungal isolates as active ingredients. Entomopathogenic fungi have also been successful in controlling arthropods of public health concern, as shown in their control of mosquitoes, which are vectors of diseases. The isolation of new indigenous Metarhizium isolates from a variety of substrates such as soil, insects, and plants shows the wide genetic diversity within this fungal genus. In this review, we emphasize the significance of Metarhizium spp. for the biological control of insects in Brazil. We also suggest that the experience and success of biological control with fungi in Brazil is an important resource for developing integrated pest management and sustainable strategies for pest control worldwide. Moreover, the future implementation prospects of species of Metarhizium being used as bioinoculants and possible new advances in the utility of this fungus are discussed.

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Fungal-Based Biopesticide Formulations to Control Nymphs and Adults of the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskål (Orthoptera: Acrididae): A Laboratory and Field Cage Study

Wakil

Ghazanfar

Usman

et al. 2022

Agronomy

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This is the first field study in which we have tested the efficacy of four different entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) formulations together in single study—i.e., Green Muscle, Green Guard, Metarhizium anisopliae, and an isolate of Beauveria bassiana (isolate WG-11)—against nymphs and adults of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskål (Orthoptera: Acrididae). We conducted several different studies: (a) lethal bioassay against the 3rd, 5th, and adult stages under laboratory conditions; (b) sublethal effects on the reproduction, diet consumption, fecal production, and weight gain; (c) a greenhouse trial; and (d) a field cage trial. Under laboratory conditions, all EPF formulations caused significant mortality, and the highest efficacy was observed with Green Muscle, followed by Green Guard, B. bassiana, and M. anisopliae. Susceptibility was found to be greatest in 3rd-instar nymphs, followed by 5th instars, and then adults. Along with lethal effects, sublethal doses of EPF reduced the number of egg pods per female, total eggs per pod, and egg hatching, while extending nymphal developmental time and reducing adult longevity; again, Green Muscle performed better. Sublethal doses not only retarded reproduction, but also caused behavioral changes, including reductions in food consumption, fecal production, and weight gain. All EPF formulations not only produced significant mortality in laboratory conditions, but also performed very well under the greenhouse and field conditions. The maximum mortality against 3rd-instar (81.7% and 74.0%), 5th-instar (73.3% and 65.1%), and adult locusts (67.5% and 58.9%) was observed when using Green Muscle under greenhouse and field trials, respectively. The current study showed that all of the EPF formulations have the potential to reduce pest populations, and could be used in the integrated pest management program.

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Susceptibility of three orthopteran species to infection by Metarhizium acridum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae)

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

Sublethal effects of mixed fungal infections on the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus

Sublethal effects of mixed fungal infections on the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus

Utilization of Metarhizium as an insect biocontrol agent and a plant bioinoculant with special reference to Brazil

Fungal-Based Biopesticide Formulations to Control Nymphs and Adults of the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskål (Orthoptera: Acrididae): A Laboratory and Field Cage Study

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