Biocontrol Science and Technology (2017) 27, 1038-1048

Rosineide da Silva Lopes, Geiziquele de Lima, Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia, Antonio Félix da Costa, Elza Aurea de Luna Alves Lima and Vera Lúcia de Menezes Lima (2017)
The potential of Isaria spp. as a bioinsecticide for the biological control of Nasutitermes corniger
Biocontrol Science and Technology 27 (9), 1038-1048
Abstract: The termite Nasutitermes corniger is a serious pest infesting urban areas of Brazil and many other countries. Control largely depends on synthetic pesticides whose indiscriminate use can impact the environment and the health of humans and other animals. Alternative strategies against insect pests, such as biological control by entomopathogenic fungi, could be effective while minimising these deleterious effects. We analysed the actions of the entomopathogenic fungi Isaria farinosa, Isaria fumosorosea, and Isaria javanica against the insect N. corniger. Our results indicated that the fungi examined were pathogenic against N. corniger, with I. farinosa ESALQ1355 being the most efficacious strain, resulting in the death of 95% of the workers (LC₅₀ 6.66 × 10⁴ conidia/mL) and 85% of the soldiers (LC₅₀ 6.81 × 10⁴ conidia/mL). This is the first report of the pathogenicity of Isaria spp. on N. corniger. These in vitro results suggest that I. farinosa ESALQ1355 demonstrates a significant biological potential for controlling N. corniger.
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Link to article at publishers website

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.
	Nasutitermes corniger
Cordyceps fumosorosea (entomopathogen)	Nasutitermes corniger
Cordyceps farinosa (entomopathogen)	Nasutitermes corniger
Cordyceps javanica (entomopathogen)	Nasutitermes corniger