Revista Colombiana de Entomología (2011) 37, 36-42

Armando Sterling C., Carlos A. Gómez M. and Ary A. Campo J. (2011)
Patogenicidad de Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) sobre Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) en Hevea brasiliensis
[Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) on Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Hevea brasiliensis]
Revista Colombiana de Entomología 37 (1), 36-42
Abstract: In the Colombian Amazon termites attack bare root stumps of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. The objective of the study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on Heterotermes tenuis termites under laboratory conditions. The concentrations used were 1x10¹, 1x10³, 3x10⁵, 1x10⁷ and 3x10⁸ conidia/ml and the control (distilled sterile water). The dead insects were cleared with KOH at 10% and mounted on glass slides. Mortality was compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the CL₅₀ and TL₅₀ were determined. The concentration of 3x10⁸ conidia/ml was the most effective (100% of insects eliminated in six days). There were differences found among the six concentrations used in percent survival of H. tenuis (H_5,81=19.4; p < 0.05) and in the time (days) of survival (H_4,60=14.0; p < 0.05). The CL₅₀ was 9.64 x 10³ conidia/ml after a time of six days. The TL₅₀ was three days for the concentration of 3 x 10⁸ conidia/ml. Under laboratory conditions M. anisopliae is very effective on H. tenuis, and for this reason its use under natural conditions should be considered in the integrated management of the termites that affect the cultivation of rubber trees in the Amazonian region. This study is the first report on the in vitro biocontrol of H. tenuis in H. brasiliensis.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Spanish)

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.
	Heterotermes tenuis	Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)	Colombia
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Heterotermes tenuis	Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)	Colombia