Bulletin of Entomological Research (2001) 91, 93-100

D.M. Hunter, R.J. Milner and P.A. Spurgin (2001)
Aerial treatment of the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 91 (2), 93-100
Abstract: Between October 1999 and April 2000, nearly 4000 ha of nymphal bands and adult swarms of Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) were aerially treated using a ULV oil formulation of strain FI-985 of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum. During the mild weather (maxima 22-30°C) of spring (October), there was little change in nymphal bands during the first week but at all doses between 25-100 g (1-4 × 10¹² conidia) ha^-1, the bands rapidly declined 9-12 days after treatment reaching > 90%mortality by 14 days. Metarhizium persisted for some time as there was 50%mortality of locusts fed vegetation collected from the treated blocks seven days after treatment. Persistence was confirmed by the high mortality of bands that invaded from untreated areas and of nymphs that hatched on the plot five to seven days after treatment, though mortality was then delayed until early in the third week. During summer (January), temperatures were high (maxima 36-42°C), and at all doses between 25 and 125 g (1-5 × 10¹² conidia) ha^-1, there was a rapid decline seven to ten days after treatment. By 12-14 days, there was a > 90% decline in numbers in most blocks which was confirmed by helicopter surveys two weeks after treatment that found very few adults within or near treated areas. Mortality was delayed in the high dose where there were blockages of spray equipment during treatment. The clear demonstration that Metarhiziumcan suppress small local populations of C. terminifera led to the limited operational use of Metarhizium on an organic farm and in a National Park where nearly 2500 ha of bands and swarms were treated. Continued research is needed to develop a commercially viable product so that Metarhizium can form a significant part of a programme of integrated pest management of locusts in Australia.
(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): David M. Hunter, Richard J. Milner

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
inundative/inoculative release

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chortoicetes terminifera
Metarhizium acridum (entomopathogen)	Chortoicetes terminifera