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

Entomopathogenic fungi are natural enemies to a wide range of insects. The spores germinate on the insect cuticle, penetrate the cuticle, invade the hemocoel, produce toxins, and eventually cause the death of the insect host.  Metarhizium and Beauveria are two common entomopathogenic fungi found in soil that are also currently used as biological control agents, yet we do not fully understand all the fundamental aspects of their ecology.  Using Galleria mellonella larvae as bait, Metarhizium and Beauveria were isolated from the soils of forested and urban habitats of varying ages. 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 different habitats.