Formulation of entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae bait to control subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathus holmgren (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)
Coptotermes curvignathus is well known as the leading pest termite of agricultural and forestry tree crops. Termites are cryptic insects, hence their infestations can go undetected for years and this hinders the planters to carry out effective pest controls timely. This underscores the need for i...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pusat Sistematik Serangga, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2021
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/18981/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/18981/1/47638-173413-1-PB.pdf |
| Summary: | Coptotermes curvignathus is well known as the leading pest termite of agricultural and forestry
tree crops. Termites are cryptic insects, hence their infestations can go undetected for years and
this hinders the planters to carry out effective pest controls timely. This underscores the need
for innovative forms of pesticides deployment. The use of bait is becoming a favorable
approach that acts as edible ‘smart missiles’ to knock out the whole population of termites. To
execute potent baiting in the field, effective bait matrix that able to preserve the effectiveness
of the entomopathogenic agents impregnated and avoid the repellence of the targeted insect is
sought-after in designing baits and this study aimed to formulate an entomopathogenic fungus
Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae based bait. Seven baits were formulated based on the
pest feeding preferences and termites’ behavior studies. Additional substances were
supplemented in the formulas as food sources and attractant to termites. Bait matrix made of
dextrin, PVP K90 and skim milk (DPS) was found to be the most palatable to termites than
other bait matrix tested. Termite took shorter time to finish the DPS bait with average 11.2
days and consumed significantly greater amount as compared to the other baits. DPS bait
impregnated with M. anisopliae resulted closed to 100% mortality in 19 days. Based on shelflife
bioassays, all formulated baits were able to maintain consistent termite mortality above 80%
for over six months. The laboratory assessment had concluded that the formulated DPS bait
was able to retain the effectiveness of the active entomopathogenic ingredient and appear
palatable to C. curvignathus. Future field work should concentrate on the effectiveness of this
bait in deterring pest resurgence. |
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