Production of <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> microsclerotia for insect control

Abstract

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota Hypocreales) has recently been found capable of producing compact hyphal aggregates (microsclerotia) under specific culture conditions that become pigmented during growth The microsclerotia can be formulated and are stable when dried for storage Upon rehydration hyphae grow from the microsclerotes develop into a fungal pellet and produce large quantities of conidia In this study microsclerotia were produced using New Zealand USA and Mexican strains of M anisopliae and characterised for production requirements stability and conidial production Microsclerotia were produced in shake flasks and fermenter vessels and differences were observed in growth and production according to strain and CN ratio The potential of microsclerotia formulations for biocontrol of redheaded cockchafer (Adoryphorus couloni Coleoptera Scarabaeidae) is currently under evaluation