Abstract
Abstract The efficacy of a new virulent Metarhizium anisopliae strain (SRRC 2558) obtained from Coptotermes formosanus in China was evaluated against the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes and the Formosan subterranean termite, C. formosanus , in the laboratory. This new strain was compared with three other virulent M. anisopliae strains and was found to be highly infectious against termites. It caused 100% mortality to groups of 100 R. flavipes workers in containers with treated vermiculite/sand medium at a concentration of ⩾3 × 10 6 conidia/cm 3 . However, in two-container choice devices, R. flavipes avoided containers treated with M. anisopliae at the concentration of ⩾1.5 × 10 7 conidia/cm 3 . Cellulose powder bait containing M. anisopliae was tested against R. flavipes and C. formosanus . At effective concentration, the bait did not cause apparent repellence to R. flavipes and C. formosanus. Successful control of R. flavipes and C. formosanus groups (1000/group) was achieved at 1.5 × 10 8 and 3 × 10 8 conidia/g, respectively, in choice tests in which termites were provided with treated cellulose bait and untreated wood.
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