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Abstract
Termites are important structural pests in North America, and worldwide. New techniques for their biological control were evaluated. The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae was isolated from the diseased subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes collected from the Toronto area. Cultures of M. anisopliae grown on malt extract agar sporulated freely; dispersal units, usually conidia, were harvested from these cultures. Bioassays indicate that live termites contaminated with the fungus can spread the disease among healthy termites, cause rapid and significant mortality and can be used as baits for termite control. The fungus is transmitted by contact and 100% mortality was recorded within 48 hours. The results support the potential value of M. anisopliae in termite control, and illustrate the delivery of a known quantity of the inoculum. Termites killed by M. anisopliae were buried in the medium by healthy individuals.