THE SELECTION OF AN ISOLATE OF THE HYPHOMYCETE FUNGUS, METARHIZIUM-ANISOPLIAE, FOR CONTROL OF TERMITES IN AUSTRALIA

Ninety-three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae, mostly derived from a survey of termite material, were screened for activity against Nasuti termes exitiosus and Coptotermes frenchi or C. acinaciformis using a g rooming assay technique. Twenty-six of the most promising isolates wer e further evaluated by bioassay against N. exitiosus and C. acinacifor mis. All isolates were pathogenic with Coptotermes spp. being more sus ceptible than N. exitiosus. A group of nine isolates, chosen for their level of pathogenicity for one or other genus of termites and to repr esent a genetically diverse group, was finally compared in a minicolon y test using termite colonies in 1 liter jars. The isolate, code-named FI-610 (derived from nest-mound material of C. lacteus in SE New Sout h Wales), was one of the most effective isolates against termites from both of the two colonies tested. This isolate also grew relatively we ll on agar plates at 36 degrees C. FI-610 was thus selected for field trials and was found to be effective in hiding colonies of C. acinacif ormis when 10 g (= 3 x 10(11) conidia) or more of conidial powder was blown into the center of the large mound colonies. (C) 1998 Academic P ress.