Entomopathogenic microorganisms in locusts and grasshoppers populations and prospects for their use for control of this pest group

Georgiy Lednev,Maxim Levchenko,Igor Kazartsev

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20202100025

Abstract

Brief information on the main groups of microorganisms parasitizing on locusts and grasshoppers is given. It has been shown that viral and most bacterial infections have no practical prospects, both as natural regulators of density populations and as potential producers of bioinsecticides. Alpha-proteobacteria, entomophthoralean fungi and microsporidia may make some contributions as natural mechanisms of population dynamics. The most significant group as producers of biopesticides are anamorphic ascomycetes from the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria.

Highlights

Members of the family Acrididae, and especially locusts are one of the most harmful groups of phytophages
A locust outbreak is an emergency situation and removal of its consequences requires considerable financial and material resources. At present in the former USSR only chemical insecticides are used for the control of locust populations [4]
One of them is suppression of phytophages with biological products based on entomopathogenic microorganisms

Summary

Introduction

Members of the family Acrididae, and especially locusts are one of the most harmful groups of phytophages Locusts usually increase their number in natural environments where their monitoring is complicated and application of chemical insecticides is impossible (e.g. nature protection areas), or cannot be justified on economic or ecological basis [1, 2, 3]. A locust outbreak is an emergency situation and removal of its consequences requires considerable financial and material resources At present in the former USSR only chemical insecticides are used for the control of locust populations [4]. It is known that large-scale pesticide application has a number of essential shortcomings, the most important are appearance of resistant populations of pests and environmental pollution In this regard there is a need in alternative ecologically safe methods for plants protection. The purpose of this work is to review the main pathogens of locust and the prospects of their use

Viruses

Bacteria

Microsporidia

Conclusion