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Leafcutter ants (Atta spp.) are one of the mos t economically harmful pests in agriculture, considered dominant in the Neotropics and South America. Mature colonies of A. mexicana have a great economic impact on Mexico's agriculture. Microbial agents in the form of biopesticides are an effective component of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and may present a better alternative to synthetic insecticides. Among the fungi most used as biological insecticides there are Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the entomopathogenic fungi B. bassiana and M. anisopliae of commercial origin and a native strain of B. bassiana from México (MA-Bb1) on adults of Atta mexicana under controlled conditions. In the bioassay, five formulations and a control group were tested (B. bassiana MA-Bb1, B. bassiana MA-Bb1+ Diatomin®, B. bassiana®, M. anisopliae®, Diatomin®, and Tween 80 (0.01%). The MA-Bb1+ Diatomin® biopreparation induced the highest mortality (100%) in four-week-old A. mexicana, followed by the MA-Bb1, M. anisopliae®, and B. bassiana® biopreparations, which caused mortality of 83.33%, 73.98%, and 68.70%, respectively. Treatments containing B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were efficient in controlling A. mexicana under controlled conditions. The most efficient biological control was achieved with the B. bassiana fungus and Diatomin®, which presented the highest total death rate in A. mexicana 96 h post infection, in contrast to the control group (Tween 80), which attained the lowest speed of death in the present investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most catastrophic pests of corn, the third most important food crop worldwide. In 2019, the pest was first recorded in Indonesia. Currently, the pest has been reported causing damaged to corn crops in most provinces of the country. Farmers depend primarily on insecticide use to manage the new invasive pest. To avoid the potential negative impacts of insecticide use, alternative control measures should be developed, including biological control. Fungal entomopathogen, Metarrhozium anisopliae, has been used as an effective mycoinsecticide against the pest in other countries. Formulation is very important to be considered in developing a new bioinsecticide because it affects the effectiveness, sporulation rate, and conidial viability of the entomopathogen. Thus, the study objectives were to determine larval mortality of S. frugiperda applied with different formulations of M. anisopliae. In addition, conidial density and viability of M. anisopliae in different formulations and incubated at different temperatures were also evaluated. The results showed that Metarrhizium anisopliae, prepared in powder formulation had better qualities in comparison to those cultured in pellet and pasta formulations. The fungus cultured on rice powder had higher pathogenicity against S. frugiperda larvae. Ten days after powder formulation was applied, 76% of the treated insects died, which was significantly higher than the percentages of dead insects in pellet and pasta formulations (56 and 52%, respectively). Similarly, conidial density was significantly higher for powder (5.21 x 106 conidia/ml) than pellet (2.79 x 106 conidia/ml) and pasta (0.85 x 106 conidia/ml) formulations. The percentages of the treated larvae becoming pupa were 11, 21, and 22% for powder, pellet, and pasta, respectively. Therefore, the powder formulation should be used in proliferation of the fungus in mycoinsecticide production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Leafcutter ants (Atta spp.) are one of the mos t economically harmful pests in agriculture, considered dominant in the Neotropics and South America. Mature colonies of A. mexicana have a great economic impact on Mexico’s agriculture. Microbial agents in the form of biopesticides are an effective component of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and may present a better alternative to synthetic insecticides. Among the fungi most used as biological insecticides there are Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the entomopathogenic fungi B. bassiana and M. anisopliae of commercial origin and a native strain of B. bassiana from México (MA-Bb1) on adults of Atta mexicana under controlled conditions. In the bioassay, five formulations and a control group were tested (B. bassiana MA-Bb1, B. bassiana MA-Bb1+ Diatomin®, B. bassiana®, M. anisopliae®, Diatomin®, and Tween 80 (0.01%). The MA-Bb1+ Diatomin® biopreparation induced the highest mortality (100%) in four-week-old A. mexicana, followed by the MA-Bb1, M. anisopliae®, and B. bassiana® biopreparations, which caused mortality of 83.33%, 73.98%, and 68.70%, respectively. Treatments containing B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were efficient in controlling A. mexicana under controlled conditions. The most efficient biological control was achieved with the B. bassiana fungus and Diatomin®, which presented the highest total death rate in A. mexicana 96 h post infection, in contrast to the control group (Tween 80), which attained the lowest speed of death in the present investigation.

The Aedes aegypti is the main vector of Dengue virus that causes Dengue fever. Breaking the chain of spread of Dengue fever has been done a lot such as using chemical insectiside, but it can cause negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to use other alternative methods to overcome the problem. One of the solution uses natural bioinsecticides from entomopathogenic fungi. The entomopathogenic fungus that has been widely developed as bioinsecticide is Metharizium anisopliae. This fungus has larvicidal activity to kill the mosquito. This research using M. anisopliae were obtained from the Center for Forecasting Plant Pest Organisms, Karawang, West Java. However, larvae of A. aegypti were obtained from the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, UGM. The research was conducted from November 2021-April 2022 at the Entomology Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology and the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, UGM. The methods used in this study were culture and manufacture of M. anisopliae, rearing of A. aegypti larvae, bioassays, and data analysis of mortality. The Analysis Probit Test was calculated by using SPSS software version 28 to determine LC50. The results showed that concentration 8.18 x 105 conidia/ml can kill 33,33% of total larvae. However, there was no significant effect between each different concentration in killing A. aegypti larvae. However, according the probit analisys table the LC50 can be reach if using 1.98 x 106 in seven day after treatment. Conclusion in this study was the M. anisopliae is effective to kill A. aegypti larvae but it is necessary to increase the concentration of the suspension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pest control by using chemical pesticides continuously can harm the environment. Therefore it is necessary to look for environmentally friendly technologies, one of which is the use of entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae. The alternative media should be easy to obtain and has a good shelf life so the growth of M. anisopliae should be optimum. This research aimed to obtain alternative media that provide the best growth and development at each different shelf-life. The research method used was an experimental method using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Factorial and it was repeated 4 times. The media factors were from PDA, bran, green beans, and maize. The shelf-life factors were at 21 and 42 days old (d-old). The diameter on maize media gave the highest diameter value of 8.57 cm at 42 d-old. Green bean media gave the best spore density results of 2.08×107. Whereas the germination capacity of the media ranged from 63.94% to 94.23%. Germination showed no significant difference at 21 and 42 d-old. Therefore, green beans and maize media were effectively used for propagation of M. anisopliae as a substitute for synthetic media.

Abstract The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a newly introduced and a major threat of tomato production in Ethiopia. Laboratory bioassay was conducted to evaluate locally isolated Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) (Sorokin), against larvae of T. absoluta. Twenty-five Metarhizium isolates were isolated from different soil types, using the great wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. baiting method. From these, 13 isolates were prescreened by biological efficiency index model and tested against 2nd and 3rd larval instars of T. absoluta at the concentration of 107 spores ml−1. Sterile water plus Tween 80 (0.1% v/v) was used as a control. Greenhouse reared larvae of T. absoluta were used as experimental organisms. All tested Metarhizium formulations were pathogenic to T. absoluta in all conducted bioassays. Three isolates, AAUM78, AAUM39, and AAUM76, were the most effective and scored 88, 90, and 95% and 90, 93.3, and 95.7% mortality against 2nd and 3rd larval instars of T. absoluta, respectively. The lowest (48.5 and 50%) mortality rate was recorded by isolate AAUM30 against 2nd and 3rd larval instars, respectively, in 7 days post inoculation. However, all isolates showed significant statistical differences with F (24, 50) = 6.825, p < 0.001 and F (23, 15) = 3.97, p < 0.001 of mortality to 2nd and 3rd larval instars, respectively. Molecular analysis categorized these selected isolates under species of M. anisopliae and grouped into 2 different groups. AAUM78 and AAUM39 were recorded LT50 values of 3.93 and 3.5 days at the lowest (104 spore ml−1) concentration and LC50 values of 1.2 × 103 and 2.9 × 103 spore ml−1, respectively. Although AAUM78 and AAUM39 were virulent to the target pest, further field evaluation is required to determine their potential efficacy for T. absoluta control.

Functional response is an important behavioral characteristic of prey-predator interactions that can be utilized for assessing impact of natural enemies. In this research, the functional response of Nabis pseudoferus Remane females was examined to the third-instar larvae of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) which were exposed to LC30 (2.03 × 104 conidia/ml) values of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin isolate DEMI 001. Six densities of the prey (1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 16) were exposed to the predator (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) after inoculation. N. pseudoferus exhibited a type II functional response to prey density in all treatments, indicating that predation increases asymptotically to a satiation level. The highest and the lowest attack rates (a) were 0.1052 ± 0.0440 and 0.0509 ± 0.0133h-1 for 48h and 72h post-infection treatments, respectively. Maximum theoretical predation rate (T/Th) was estimated 10.96 in control. Our results suggest that M. anisopliae and N. pseudoferus, can be a useful combination in pest management of tomato leaf miner, although it must be confirmed in field condition.

Pest control by using chemical pesticides continuously can harm the environment. Therefore it is necessary to look for environmentally friendly technologies, one of which is the use of entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae. The alternative media should be easy to obtain and has a good shelf life so the growth of M. anisopliae should be optimum. This research aimed to obtain alternative media that provide the best growth and development at each different shelflife. The research method used was an experimental method using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Factorial and it was repeated 4 times. The media factors were from PDA, bran, green beans, and maize. The shelf-life factors were at 21 and 42 days old (d-old). The diameter on maize media gave the highest diameter value of 8.57 cm at 42 d-old. Green bean media gave the best spore density results of 2.08×107. Whereas the germination capacity of the media ranged from 63.94% to 94.23%. Germination showed no significant difference at 21 and 42 d-old. Therefore, green beans and maize media were effectively used for propagation of M. anisopliae as a substitute for synthetic media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stored grain pests cause great damage to various grain products, and protection against these pests is currently based on synthetic insecticides and fumigants. As a result, these chemicals cause problems, including grain contamination with chemical residues and the development of resistance by insect pests to these chemicals. Therefore, to combat this issue, in the present study, an enhanced form of diatomaceous earth (DE), Grain-Guard, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Ascomycota: Sordariomycetes) were evaluated alone and in combination against adults of Liposcelis paeta (Pearman) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). M. anisopliae was used at a rate of 1.7 × 104 conidia kg−1 grain alone as well as with two doses of DE (25 and 50 ppm) on wheat under different exposure time courses (4, 7, and 14 days). It is worth mentioning that the combination of M. anisopliae and DE was highly effective against the adults of L. paeta, C. ferrugineus, R. dominica, and T. castaneum after 14 days of exposure. When DE and M. anisopliae were applied alone, DE showed more effectiveness than fungal conidia. Progeny emergence was decreased when modified DE was applied at a high dose rate with the fungus and suppressed at a low dose. The cadavers of all species in the trials showed a maximum percentage of mycosis, and sporulation (conidia/ml) also showed the same result when the fungus was tested alone, while low mycosis and sporulation were achieved under the application of a mixture with a high dose of modified DE. Our findings indicate the best possible combination of DE (at low dose rates) along with a fungus that might contribute to lowering health and environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllotreta spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) merupakan hama yang dapat menurunkan produktivitas tanaman sawi. Salah satu teknik pengendalian alami yang dapat digunakan untuk mengendalikan populasi hama ini yaitu dengan pemanfaatan jamur entomopatogen. B. bassiana dan M. anisopliae merupakan jenis jamur entomopatogen yang banyak digunakan untuk mengendalikan hama dari berbagai ordo. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas jamur B. bassiana dan M. anisopliae untuk menekan intensitas kerusakan pada tanaman sawi akibat serangan hama Phyllotreta spp. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Komunitas Organik Brenjonk, Trawas, Mojokerto. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa kerusakan pada tanaman sawi disebabkan oleh Phyllotreta striolata dan Phyllotreta sp.. Jamur B. bassiana dan M. anisopliae mampu menekan intensitas kerusakan sebesar 6,94 sampai 9,33% dengan tingkat penekanan mencapai 61,52%.

Jamur patogen serangga Metarhizium anisopliae diketahui bersifat patogen terhadap banyak serangga termasuk rayap. Penularan terjadi melalui penyebaran spora. Efektivitas penularan oleh kasta rayap pekerja Coptotermes curvignathus yang telah terinfeksi spora jamur dari 6 isolat yang dikumpulkan dari berbagai lokasi di Jawa dievaluasi. Beberapa kelompok rayap yang terdiri dari campuran rayap pekerja yang terinfeksi spora dan yang sehat dimasukkan dalam botol kultur berisi media pasir steril yang lembab, diinkubasi dalam ruang gelap dan lembab pada suhu kamar selama 14 hari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persentase mortalitas rayap cenderung meningkat setelah inkubasi dibandingkan dengan sebelum inkubasi. Isolat dari Balai Penelitian Bioteknologi Perkebunan Bogor (BGR), Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Gajah Mada Yogyakarta (UGM)p dan Balai Proteksi Tanaman Perkebunan Semarang (SMG) menunjukkan efektivitas penularan yang tinggi, menyebabkan mortalitas rayap lebih dari 80% pada perlakuan rayap terinfeksi dengan konsentrasi 50%. Isolat dari Bogor tampaknya paling efektif untuk ditularkan oleh rayap pekerja ke dalam koloninya.

Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) disease is a silent killer, which threatens to decrease productivity, quality and even death of citrus plants and the erosion of genetic resources. Spreading in the field very quickly by the intermediate insect vector pest, aphid (Toxoptera citricida, T. Aurantii and A. Gosypii). The microbes studied for potential biopesticide candidates are: Beauveria bassiana and Hirsutella citriformis, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch) Sorokin previously reported to control Diaphorina citri pests resulting effectiveness of > 25% and was able to suppress yield loss up to 10%. The objectives of the study examined the effectiveness of entomopathogen in controlling the pest of CTV vector, Toxoptera citricida, in the laboratory and screen house, to findout the physiological, biochemical and molecular physiology of entomopathogen. The results showed that the best entomopathogen suspension concentration was B.bassiana 106 followed by H. citriformis 106 and M. anisopliae 106. Entomopatogen B. bassiana and H. citriformis effectively controled the CTV vector pest in the laboratory. In the semi-field experiments at the screen house, the most effective result was H.citriformis 106 and the combination of H.citriformis 106 + B.bassiana 106, killing up to 50% and 100% on day 7th H.citriformis had the most physiological character, was able to develop optimally at a temperature of 20-400C and humidity between 60-80%. The biochemical character of the entomopathogenic fungus B.bassiana contained cellulase enzyme and phosphate solvent and IAA hormone, at most compared to the others. H.citriformis had not been found to contain enzymes and hormones. The molecular biochemical characterization of entomopathogenic fungi using FS1 and NS2 primers more clearly distinguished isolates and entomopathogenic species.

Rice is an important staple crop whose production is limited by array of insect pests and diseases. African rice gall midge (AfRGM) Orseolia oryzivora Harris & Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a major insect pest of lowland rice ecology in Africa. Heavy yield losses have been recorded in many farmers' rice fields. Use of synthetic insecticides has fostered environmental and human health concern that initiates a search for alternative control measures such as Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) – Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The experiment was laid out on completely randomised design (CRD) with three replications. The study showed M. anisopliae IC30 had the greatest control effect on adult AfRGM with 90.58% of non-infested tillers. The percentage of non-infested tiller advantage over the control followed the same trend with M. anisopliae IC30 having the greatest value of 50.72%. Tiller infestation had significant negative correlation with chlorophyll content, leaf breadth and grain number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of formulations and storage length on the viability, bioactivity and persistence of Metarhizium anisopliae against Crocidolomia pavonana Fabricius. Crocidolomia pavonana Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is important pest on vegetables form Brassicaceae family, that required to be control. Metarhizium anisopliae entomopathogenic fungus is one potensial of the biological agent that can be used to control C. pavonana. This study aimed to investigated the effect of storage duration on viability, bioactivity and persistence of M. anisopliae after formulated to control C. pavonana. Laboratory experiment was arranged in completely randomized design with the treatment was storage duration that included 2,4,6,8 and 10 weeks that replicated three trials. The variabels to be measured were viability and bioactivity at concentrations106, 107, and108. Field experiment used T Student test with treatment was duration of M. anisopliae formulation survive and its persistence on C. pavonana. Laboratory experiment results showed that the best storage duration of formulation on Metarhizium viability was pellet frmulation at 4th week 4 after storage. While the best bioactivity was pellet formulation with concentration 107 at 10 weeks after storage. Field experiment results showed that M. anisopliae formulation could be survived and its persistence to control pests C. pavonana until 4th day after application, either pellet or powder formulation.

Insecticide use has produced negative impact by affecting the non-target predatory organisms in nature, one of which is the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Interactions occur, however, between insecticides and the entomopathogens. The combination of insecticides at a low dose and an entomopathogenic fungus can work synergistically to increase pest insect mortality. This combination is particularly advantageous because it decreases the insecticide dose applied, reduces environmental contamination, and decreases pest resistance. The study purpose was to determine the compatible working insecticide dose and the entomopathogenic fungi B. basiana and M. anisopliae. The experimental design applied completely randomized design consisting of 15 treatments and four replicates. There were five types of insecticides with three different doses each (0.5 × Dose of Field (DF), 1 × DF, and 2 × DF), whereas the fungal isolates included B. basiana and M. anisopliae. The parameters observed were the germination percentage of conidia, the percentage of inhibition, and the number of conidia.ml-1. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (5% error rate). The mean values were analyzed by DMRT p < 0.05. Deltamethrin 0.5 x DF, and imidacloprid 0.5 x DF demonstrated the highest conidial germination in B. basiana and M. anisopli, respectively. Insecticides showing the highest vegetative growth on B. basiana and M. anisopliae at 7 DAI was imidacloprid 0.5 x DF, while at 14 DAI was imidacloprid 0.5 x DF and chlorphyrifos 2 x DF, respectively. The highest conidial production of the fungi was triggered by imidacloprid 0.5 x DF. Based on compatibility calculation, imidacloprid 0,5 x DF worked with B. basiana (BI: 67.77) and M. anisopliae (BI: 67.16).

Efficacy test of liquid bio-insecticide of entomopathogenic fungi in control against Plutella xylostella in the laboratory. The insect pest P. xylostella could reduce crop production of Brassicaceae. The aim of research was to test the efficacy liquid bio insecticide with active ingredient of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae fungi to control P. xylostella. Bio-insecticide was applied by spraying on mustard leaves infested with 50 individuals of third instar larvae of P. xylostella and a density of 1x106 conidia ml-1. Larval mortality was observed every 2 hours and LT50 of larvae was calculated. The study showed that the highest percentage of mortality found in Mt ES and Mt ES (cf) isolates was 99.6%, the lowest mortality at Mt NES isolate was 96.80%. LT50 and LT95 values Bb ES were the lowest i.e. 2.04 days and 2.95 days. The highest LT50 and LT95 of Mt NES isolate were 2.24 days and 3.32 days. The liquid bio-insecticide of entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were effective to control the larvae of P. xylostella.

The effects of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the adult housefly, Musca domestica were studied to evaluate their pathogenicity. Scanning electron microscopy allowed observing fungal developmental phases on the M. domestica adult. The results obtained revealed that not all areas of the insect cuticle were equally vulnerable to penetration by propagules of entomopathogenic fungi, the penetration pegs of B. bassiana were observed at the base of seta, conidia were also observed between the ommatidia of the compound eye and at the articulating membrane of legs. M. anisopliae conidia were observed in the regions of the host insect as B. bassiana, but in smaller concentrations. In conclusion, the present study established the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae on the housefly, M. domestica as promising biological control agents. Biological control with pathogenic fungi is promising alternative to chemical control against insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial pesticides form critical components of integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Little, however, is known regarding the impacts of these organisms on the indigenous microbial community. We show that Metarhizium anisopliae strain CQMa421 was highly effective in controlling the rice leafroller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee. In addition, M. anisopliae distribution and its effects on phyllosphere microbial diversity after application in field trials were investigated. Phylloplane specific distribution of the fungus was observed over time, with more rapid declines of M. anisopliae CFUs (colony-forming units) seen in the top leaf layer as compared to lower layers. Application of the fungus resulted in transient changes in the endogenous microbial diversity with variations seen in the bacterial observed species and Shannon index. Notable increases in both parameters were seen at 6-day post-application of M. anisopliae, although significant variation within sample replicates for bacteria and fungi were noted. Application of M. anisopliae increased the relative distribution of bacterial species implicated in plant growth promotion and organic pollutant degradation, e.g., Methylobacterium, Sphingobium, and Deinococcus. These data show minimal impact of M. anisopliae on endogenous microbial diversity with transient changes in bacterial abundance/diversity that may result in added benefits to crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, single and combined effects of eight insecticides and the entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschin.) against cabbage aphid and cotton aphid species under in vitro conditions were evluated. Six of the insecticides tested were found to be highly compatible (flonicamid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen and spirotetramat), showing positive integration with the fungus and were selected for bioassays. The combination mixtures (1:1 ratio of M. anisopliae: insecticide) were significantly more toxic to aphid species than individual treatments. Maximum mortality of cotton aphid (91.68%) and cabbage aphid (88.36%) was recorded with the combination of flonicamid and M. anisopliae (2.4 x 106 cfu/mL) 72 h after application. While minimum mortality 17.08% and 16.66% was observed with the individual treatment of M. anisopliae (2.4 x 106 cfu/mL) against cotton aphid and cabbage aphid respectively. The results indicates that M. anisopliae has the potential to control cotton aphid and cabbage aphid within a short period of time when combined with insecticides. The combined insecticide M. anisopliae were consistently more toxic than individual treatments. The present study utilized co-toxicity coefficients and synergy factors to calculate the efficacies of different insecticides + M. anisopliae formulations. The toxicity of insecticides, based on their LC50 and LC90 values increased when mixed with M. anisopliae. In addition, the synergy factor (SF) and co-toxicity coefficient (CTC) values indicated synergistic interactions at different time intervals. The high values of co-toxicity coefficients, which were accompanied by insect mortalities > 90% for some treatments, illustrate the effectiveness of this dual-attack method of insect pest control. The synergistic efficacy revealed the potential of fungus-insecticide integration against sucking insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plutella xylostella is the most destructive insect pests of the brassicae family. The research objective was to explore, isolate and select entomopathogenic fungi as biological agents for control of P. xylostella. This study used 20 fungal isolates originating from soil and infected insects around the farmers’ field in lowland and highland of South Sumatra. The fungal isolates were tested to third instar larvae of P.xylostella. The suspension of entomopathogenic fungus was topical inoculated with a density of 1x106 conidia ml-1 on the test insect and five replicates. The result showed that the highest (83%) and the lowest (41%) mortality of the larvae P.xylostella was induced by fungal BPluS and BNIPTr, respectively. Moreover, the shortest (2.1 days) and the highest (4.3days) lethal times of the infected host were induced by fungal BPluS and BNIPTr, respectively.

The effect of precursors on the anticancer alkaloid production by submerged fermentation using M. anisopliae 3935 was studied, according to complete experimental design 2² with three central points. The results showed that lysine was the most important variable, however, when both lysine and glucose were added to the fermentation medium, the alkaloid production reached, approximately, 17 mg L-1 after 120 hours of fermentation. Then, the scale-up of the process was carried out and these results were confirmed. Finally, 35 mg L-1 of alkaloid at 192 h were attained after increment of added aminoacid lysine.

Insecticides hamper the effectiveness of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii not only through the direct adult mortality but also reduces the parasitisation capability and per cent emergence from the parasitised host eggs which have been exposed to insecticides in field. In the present investigation, the treatments comprised biopesticides, viz. Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki 5% WP @ 0.5% and 0.1%, M. anisopliae (2×109 spores/g) @ 0.5%, Beauveria bassiana (2×109 spores/g) @0.5%, HaNPV (1 X 109PIB/ml) @ 0.2% synthetic insecticide cartap hydrochloride 50% SP @ 0.1% and aqueous leaf extract of neem and Parthenium (3% and 5%) were investigated. Results revealed that the very less parasitisation (0.00 to 8.67%) and adult emergence (0.0% to 28.33%) were recorded from cartap hydrochloride 50% SP @ 0.1% + HaNPV (0.2%), followed by the combination of aqueous neem leaf extract (5%) + Btk (0.1%) causes lowest parasitisation (10.00% to 27.33%), whereas lowest adult emergence (25.33% to 48%) were recorded from Parthenium leaf extract (3%) + Btk (0.1%) among botanicals and microbial insecticides. On the contrary maximum parasitisation (52% to 71.67%) and emergence (34.33% to 83%) recorded from HaNPV (1 X 109PIB/ml) @ 0.2%, followed by combination of HaNPV (1 X 109PIB/ml) @ 0.2% + Btk (0.1%) resulting 50% to 60% parasitisation and 35% to 75.67% emergence which show very less toxicity to T. chilonis Ishii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Metarhizium anisopliae is one of the most common species of entopathogenic fungi. It has economic and social benefits in many countries where used in agriculture as an important biological control agent of insect pests. M. anisopliae can exist as multiple cell types, which suggests that this fungus has a complex way of gene regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs. They play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression and cell function in plants, animals, and in fungi where they were termed miRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs). In this study, we aimed to identify potential milRNAs in M. anisopliae that may regulate the processes of mycelium growth and conidiogenesis (CO). Two small RNA (sRNA) libraries were constructed and submitted to Solexa sequencing. Fifteen milRNAs were identified using deep-sequencing and computational analysis; most of these milRNAs originated from single genes. Database searches revealed that these novel milRNAs had no homologues in other organisms and were, therefore, M. anisopliae-specific. Many of the milRNAs had differential expression profiles for either mycelium growth or CO. The expression of the selected milRNAs was validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Seventy-eight potential target mRNAs for 14 of the milRNAs were identified successfully by computational analysis. These milRNAs may play an important role in the regulation of mycelial growth and conidiation in M. anisopliae. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of milRNA profiles of organisms in the order Hypocreales. This information could be used to study the regulation of genes and their networks in M. anisopliae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on a study that examined the use of insect-derived molecules in increasing fungal virulence for insects' biological control. Researchers used the fungal insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana as a vehicle for delivering host molecules to insect targets, including flesh flies, Sarchopaga bullata. The potential of expanding the use of insect-derived proteins and peptides to other insect biological control agents is discussed.

A novel spray tower was developed for bioassay of biopesticide formulations. The virulence of Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium anisopliae ATCC 62176 was evaluated against imported fire ants. Both isolates were virulent but M. brunneum was more effective against imported fire ants. Results proved this apparatus was reliable, sensitive and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The occurrence and abundance of entomopathogenic fungi were analysed in 203 soil samples of the Moroccan endemic forests of Argania spinosa, the world main refuge of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. Using the Galleria baiting method and selective media, entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from 186 of the 203 (91.62%) soil samples, with only three species found: Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thom.) Samson . B. bassiana was the most widespread entomopathogenic fungi (90.64%) in the Argan forest whereas M. anisopliae was less common (15.27%) and P. lilacinus was very rare (1.48%). This is the first report of natural occurrence of M. anisopliae and P. lilacinus in Morocco . Furthermore, 118 Moroccan B. bassiana isolates were studied for their pathogenicity to C. capitata and thermotolerance. Most of these autochtonous B. bassiana isolates were virulent (86.44%) to Medfly pupae and tolerant (55.08%) to temperature stress at 45°C for 2 h. Only 60.17% of Moroccan B. bassiana isolates might be considered as highly entomopathogenic and will serve as a source of potential biological control agents to C. capitata. The percentage of thermotolerant and pathogenic B. bassiana to C. capitata were shown to decrease significantly at winter time characterized by low temperatures and absence of any noticeable medfly in the Argan forest. The occurrence, thermotolerance and virulence of B. bassiana isolates to C. capitata seemed to be related to the sampling periods and location. Our data are discussed with respect to fungal ecology and biocontrol potential of B. bassiana isolates in relation to their habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of fungal biopesticides requires the efficient production of large numbers spores or other propagules. The current study used published information concerning carbon concentrations and C:N ratios to evaluate the effects of carbon and nitrogen sources on sporulation of Paecilomyces lilacinus (IPC-P and M-14) and Metarhizium anisopliae (SQZ-1-21 and RS-4-1) in a two-stage cultivation system. For P. lilacinus IPCP, the optimal sporulation medium contained urea as the nitrogen source, dextrin as the carbon source at 1 g/L, a C:N ratio of 5:1, with ZnSO·7HO at 10 mg/L and CaCl at 3 g/L. The optimal sporulation medium for P. lilacinus M-14 contained soy peptone as the nitrogen source and maltose as the carbon source at 2 g/L, a C:N ratio of 10:1, with ZnSO·7HO at 250 mg/L, CuSO·5HO at 10 mg/L, HBO at 5 mg/L, and NaMoO·2HO at 5 mg/L. The optimum sporulation medium for M. anisopliae SQZ-1-21 contained urea as the nitrogen source, sucrose as the carbon source at 16 g/ L, a C:N ratio of 80:1, with ZnSO·7HO at 50 mg/L, CuSO·5HO at 50 mg/L, HBO at 5 mg/L, and MnSO·HO at 10 mg/L. The optimum sporulation medium for M. anisopliae RS-4-1 contained soy peptone as the nitrogen source, sucrose as the carbon source at 4 g/L, a C:N ratio of 5:1, with ZnSO·7HO at 50 mg/L and HBO at 50 mg/L. All sporulation media contained 17 g/L agar. While these results were empirically derived, they provide a first step toward low-cost mass production of these biocontrol agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protease production by fourteen M. anisopliae isolates differing in geographical origin and host insect were investigated. Highest protease activity was observed during 4-8 days of culture incubation. Pr1 and Pr2 activity was investigated in various media containing different carbon and nitrogen source to evaluate the induction mechanism of these enzymes. Basal levels of Pr1 and Pr2 activity were observed in minimal medium suggesting constitutive production. Casein (1%) as an exogenous protein supplement was not able to induce significant release of Pr1 and Pr2 enzymes, whereas high levels of activity were observed in the medium containing colloidal chitin (2%) as sole carbon and nitrogen source. The pH, ammonia and oxalic acid production in in vitro conditions was also investigated and the alteration in pH for protease production was not significant in the different media used except for the medium containing casein (1%) as a supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of various insecticides on the mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae isolate E were studied in the laboratory. Chlorpyrifos was the most toxic organophosphate to mycelial growth and sporulation at all concentrations. Temephos, malathion and leptophos were highly toxic to sporulation while malathion was the most inhibitory to germination. The carbamates, carbofuran, methomyl and oxamyl were moderately toxic to mycelial growth and sporulation while oxamyl had an adverse effect on germination. The pyrethroids (pyrethrin, permethrin and resmethrin) and the insect growth regulators (diflubenzuron and methoprene) were not inhibitory to the various developmental stages of isolate E. The chlorinated hydrocarbons (chlordane, lindane and toxaphene) were more deleterious than all other insecticide groups tested. Among the fungicides, benomyl and maneb produced the greatest inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]