Biocontrol Science and Technology (2018) 28, 848-857

Liwei Zhang, Pengfei Zhang and Long Zhang (2018)
Epizootics of the entomopathogenic fungus, Entomophaga grylli (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae), in a grasshopper population in Northwest China
Biocontrol Science and Technology 28 (9), 848-857
Abstract: Plagues caused by locusts and grasshoppers have led to severe crop damage and great economic loss in many countries. Nevertheless, populations of these pests are often suppressed by naturally occurring predators and disease. Among such natural control factors, the entomopathogenic fungus, Entomophaga grylli, can markedly disrupt the dynamics of grasshopper populations. However, there are few reports of epizootics of this entomopathogenic fungus occurring in consecutive years. Here we report on a consecutive 2-year field survey of E. grylli epizootics in Xinjiang, Northwest China. E. grylli were observed to infect at least four species of grasshopper, Calliptamus italicus, Gomphocerus sibiricus, Chorthippus sp., and Stauroderus scalaris. This is the first record of infection of the last two species by this pathogen. The highest infection rates at the two study sites (Chonghuer and Jiadengyu, Altay Prefecture) were >50%, observed in mid-July 2011, and the lowest rate was >16% in early summer. The density of infected grasshoppers was positively correlated with the density of total grasshoppers collected (r = 0.981). Therefore, E. grylli is an important natural factor regulating the dynamics of grasshopper populations in regions that are not subjected to artificial treatments.
(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): Long Zhang

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology
surveys/distribution/isolation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Calliptamus italicus		China (NW)
	Gomphocerus sibiricus		China (NW)
Entomophaga grylli (entomopathogen)	Calliptamus italicus		China (NW)
Entomophaga grylli (entomopathogen)	Gomphocerus sibiricus		China (NW)