BioControl (2017) 62, 257-268

Chad A. Keyser, Éverton K.K. Fernandes, Drauzio E.N. Rangel, R. Nelson Foster, Larry E. Jech, K. Chris Reuter, Lonnie R. Black, Stefan Jaronski, Darl D. Flake, Edward W. Evans and Donald W. Roberts (2017)
Laboratory bioassays and field-cage trials of Metarhizium spp. isolates with field-collected Mormon crickets (Anabrus simplex)
BioControl 62 (2), 257-268
Abstract: The Mormon cricket (MC) is an important pest in the western United States. This study evaluated the virulence in the laboratory of 32 isolates of Metarhizium spp. towards field-collected MCs. Additionally, four isolates were tested in outdoor field-cage studies. All 32 Metarhizium isolates were pathogenic towards the MC (could induce some mortality in the laboratory), including four isolates of the grasshopper-specialist species M. acridum. Virulence varied considerably among the isolates. Field studies, conducted in 2008–2009, showed a statistically significant effect of fungal treatments in both years. Pairwise comparison of the survival curves, however, revealed that, in 2008, three of the isolates did not differ statistically from the non-fungus control treatment. In 2009, all three of the isolates tested had significantly lower survival rates than the control treatment: MCs exposed to M. robertsii isolate DWR 346 had the lowest survival with a LT₅₀ of 16 days. We hypothesize that the poor field performance resulted from a combination of negative environmental effects and isolate selection, and propose that further field studies with additional isolates are needed to identify an efficacious fungal agent for MC biocontrol.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Edward W. Evans, Stefan T. Jaronski, Donald W. Roberts

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anabrus simplex
Metarhizium acridum (entomopathogen)	Anabrus simplex
Metarhizium robertsii (entomopathogen)	Anabrus simplex