Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sor. against the oriental migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen

Abstract

Isolates of the pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sor., were screened for virulence against nymphs of the Oriental migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen, in a feeding assay using corn leaves contaminated with aqueous spore suspension at a density of 107 conidia mL-1. The most virulent was isolate Fm11 with a median lethal time (LT50) of 5.1 days. When assayed at a density of 108 conidia mL-1, the LT50 of Fm11 was reduced to 3.1 days. This isolate was also infectious to nymphs topically inoculated with 15,000 conidia per individual on the abdomen and mouthparts. Coconut-oil-based formulation of isolate Fm11 applied as ultralow volume spray or aqueous suspension applied as high volume spray at 3.0 × 1012 conidia ha-1, resulted in up to 98% mortality of nymphs in field tests. Most mortalities occurred between 4 and 9 days. Mortality peaks occurred at day 4 post-application for the oil-based formulation and at day 6 or 7 for the aqueous spore suspension.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

26-34

Document Type

Article

Subject

Biocontrol, Fungal pathogen, Locusta migratoria manilensis, Metarhizium anisopliae

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