Laboratory evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) for controlling Amitermes vilis (Hagen) and Microcerotermes gabrielis (Weidner) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Subterranean termites are one of the most important pests of buildings, historic monuments and agricultural crops in some parts of Iran. Using entomopathogenic fungi as microbial insecticides is usually a part of biological control and insect pest management. The pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (DEMI ۰۰۱) isolated from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver) was compared against two subterranean termites, Amitermes vilis (Hagen) and Microcerotermes gabrielis (Weidner) under laboratory conditions. Suspensions of the fungus spores at five concentrations of ۱۰۱, ۱۰۲, ۱۰۳, ۱۰۴, ۱۰۶ spores ml-۱ were prepared to define LC۵۰ and LT۵۰. To determine LC۵۰ and LT۵۰ of M. anisopliae, bioassays were carried out on worker casts of both termite species. LC۵۰ values for A. vilis and M. gabrielis were ۸.۵ × ۱۰۳ and ۰.۲ × ۱۰۲ spores ml-۱, respectively. LT۵۰ value for M. gabrielis was shorter than that of A. vilis at all five concentrations tested. According to the results of the bioassay, M. anisopliae was more effective for controlling M. gabrielis than that for A. vilis.