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Preliminary field tests on the use of Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

H. Hänel  and
J. A. L. Watson
H. Hänel
Affiliation:
Institut für Bienenkunde, Oberursel/Ts., German Federal Republic.
J. A. L. Watson
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Entomology, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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Abstract

The insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae caused heavy mortality in laboratory groups of the Australian termite Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) to which infected workers had been added. Conidia of M. anisopliae started an epizootic when introduced into field colonies of N. exitiosus near Canberra, irrespective of whether the termites were treated by dusting or spraying in the mound itself, or dusting in nearby feeding sites. In some cases, the disease persisted for at least 15 weeks, and by this time few healthy termites could be found in almost half the treated colonies. Samples of workers taken from treated colonies showed high levels of contamination by Metarhizium, irrespective of the state of the colony, but the factors that inhibited the completion of fungal development in the nest are unknown.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , June 1983 , pp. 305 - 313
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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