International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2014) 34, 106-114

Mohamed Ould Atheimine, Magzoub Omer Bashir, Sidi Ould Ely, Cherif Mohamed Habib Kane, Sid' Ahmed Ould Mohamed, Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah and Mounsif Benchekroun (2014)
Efficacy and persistence of Metarhizium acridum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) used against desert locust larvae, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae), under different vegetation cover types
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 34 (2), 106-114
Abstract: The effect of vegetation cover (millet) on the efficacy and conidial persistence of Metarhizium acridum (Driver and Milner) J.F. Bisch., Rehner and Humber was evaluated in semi-field conditions using breeding cages (2 × 2 × 1 m). A mixed population of third- and fourth-instar desert locust larvae, Schistocerca gregaria Forsskål, was used as a target. The insects were exposed in two different vegetation cover types classified as low (about 10%) and high (about 90%). Metarhizium acridum was used at a dose of 2.5 × 10¹² conidia/ha in two different application volumes: 1 and 2 l/ha. Untreated insects kept in contact with treated vegetation were monitored to evaluate the persistence of conidia. The results showed that vegetation cover did not significantly (F= 1.320; P= 0.334) affect the efficacy of M. acridum. Under the high vegetation cover, the increase in the applied volume rate to 2 l/ha significantly improved the speed of mortality. Conidia persisted 6 days after treatment with a remarkable effect on untreated larvae exposed to the treated vegetation. In addition, the results of this study showed the efficacy of M. acridum in the low vegetation cover. With an important mass of vegetation, M. acridum conidia could persist even under high temperature conditions.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah Ebbe, Sidi Ould Ely

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schistocerca gregaria
	Schistocerca gregaria
Metarhizium acridum (entomopathogen)	Schistocerca gregaria