Relative frequency of two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria and Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), from soils of forested and urban habitats

Beauveria and Metarhizium are two common entomopathogenic fungi found in soil that are also currently used as biological control agents.  However, we do not fully understand fundamental aspects of their ecology.  Using Galleria mellonella larvae as bait, Metarhizium and Beauveria were isolated from the soils of forested and urban habitats. The number of G. mellonella cadavers killed by each fungus from each soil type and age were compared to determine the relative frequency of these fungi in these habitats.   Metarhizium and Beauveria were both found in forested and urban habitats and incubation temperatures influenced infection of G. mellonella.