Fungal pathogens were isolated from dead Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes. One Metarhizium anisopliae isolate was obtained from C. formosanus in China, and 1 isolate was obtained from R. flavipes in Mississippi. These 2 new isolates were compared with a virulent strain (FI610) from Australia and a commercial strain (ESC1). Comparative virulence of the 4 M. anisopliae isolates against C. formosanus and R. flavipes was studied in petri dishes, in containers with soil, and in two-container choice devices. ESC 1 was the least virulent isolate against C. formosanus and R. flavipes. The other isolates showed similar pathogenicity against C. formosanus and R. flavipes. The isolate obtained from China was incorporated into cellulose bait to treat R. flavipes colonies in the laboratory. One thousand termites were provided with 2.5 g cellulose bait and a wood block as optional food. Termites did not avoid the cellulose bait that contained M. anisopliae. One hundred percent mortality was achieved after 2 months with spore concentration at 1.5 x 108/g (dry weight) in bait. There was no detectable control mortality with spore concentration at 3 x 107/g (dry weight) in bait. The results indicate that successful termite colony control is possible using M. anisopliae treated baits.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Species 2: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (eastern subterranean termite)
Keywords: biological control, termites
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA