Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi to the termite, Reticulitermes speratus

Abstract

Twenty isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces sp.) were bioassayed against groups (5 termites in 90×15 mm petri dishes) of the termite, Reticulitermes speratus. Termites were susceptible to the various isolates. Effect of termite density on susceptibility to B. bassiana and M. anisopliae was also assayed. Reared individually, termites were highly susceptible to B. bassiana and M. anisopliae. When groups of termites (10 termites in 90×15 mm petri dishes) were exposed to B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, they were highly resistant to infection.