Journal of Orthoptera Research (2000) 9, 77-80

Carlos E. Lange, N.E. Sanchez and E. Wittenstein (2000)
Effect of the pathogen Nosema locustae (Protozoa: Microspora) on mortality and development of nymphs of the South American locust, Schistocerca cancellata (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Journal of Orthoptera Research 9, 77-80
Abstract: Laboratory procedures previously used by other authors were employed to conduct experimental bioassays with Nosema locustae on cultured Schistocerca cancellata. Third-instar nymphs were individually, per os inoculated with 105 spores and maintained under controlled conditions until their death or termination of the experiment after 30 days. Mortality and development of S. cancellata were affected by N. locustae. Mortality did not differ among treated and control nymphs at 20 days post-inoculation, but was significantly higher for infected nymphs at 30 days post-inoculation. Infections developed in 52.5 % of the treated nymphs. While 92.5 % of control nymphs reached adulthood, no infected individuals reached the adult stage, most succumbing as fifth or sixth instar nymphs. Control insects reached the sixth nymphal instar 6 days before infected nymphs and 4 days before non-infected (but treated) nymphs. Given the current preventive strategy employed in Argentina for locust control, the results obtained in this study suggest that N. locustae could be of value as a long-term biocontrol
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Carlos E. Lange

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schistocerca cancellata		Argentina
Paranosema locustae (entomopathogen)	Schistocerca cancellata		Argentina