Plant Protect. Sci., 2016, 52(1):35-44 | DOI: 10.17221/82/2015-PPS

Synergism of entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae incorporated with fipronil against oil palm pest subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathusOriginal Paper

Jing Ee Yii1, Choon Fah Joseph Bong1, Jie Hung Patricia King1, Jugah Kadir2
1 Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Nyabau Road, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
2 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

The compatibility and synergy in efficacy of the termiticide fipronil with a biocontrol agent Metarhizium anisopliae, alone or in combination, against the subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathus were investigated. Sublethal doses of fipronil were found relatively less detrimental to fungal growth of M. anisopliae local isolates in a compatibility test. The fungus-insecticide bait formulation showed the greatest synergistic effect that increased termite mortality as well as reduced the lethal time at a sublethal dose of 0.05 mg a.i./l fipronil with conidia concentrations of 107 conidia/g bait (χ2 = 48.80) at LT50 value of 6.46 days, followed by 108 conidia/gbait (χ2 = 5.09) at LT50 value of 4.89 days compared to the use of these control agents alone. The insecticidal stress caused by sublethal fipronil in the formulated bait may weaken the termites and reduce their defence mechanism, which facilitates fungus infection on termites. The observed synergism treatments show the potential for integrated fungus-insecticide control method and need to be further investigated on termite infested oil palm trees.

Keywords: compatibility; joint-action rhinotermitidae; termite baiting; toxicity

Published: March 31, 2016  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Yii JE, Bong CFJ, King JHP, Kadir J. Synergism of entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae incorporated with fipronil against oil palm pest subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathus. Plant Protect. Sci. 2016;52(1):35-44. doi: 10.17221/82/2015-PPS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Abbott W.S. (1925): A method for computing the effectiveness of an insecticide. Journal of Economic Entomology, 18: 265-267. Go to original source...
    2. Alves S.B., Moino Jr. A., Almeida J.E.M. (1998): Produtos fitossanitários e entomopatógenos. In: Alves S.B. (ed.): Controle microbiano de insetos. São Paulo, Fealq: 269-289.
    3. Anderson T.E., Roberts D.W. (1983): Compatibility of Beauveria bassiana isolates with insecticide formulations used in Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) control. Journal of Economic Entomology, 76: 1437-1441. Go to original source...
    4. Anderson T.E., Hajek A.E., Roberts D.W., Preisler H.K., Robertson J.L. (1989): Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Effects of combinations of Beauveria bassiana with insecticides. Journal of Economic Entomology, 82: 83-89. Go to original source...
    5. Asi M.R., Bashir M.H., Afzal M., Ashfaq M., Sahi S.T. (2010): Compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus with selective insecticides. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 42: 4207-4214.
    6. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y. (2010): Apparent synergy among defense mechanisms in subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae) against epizootic events - The limits and potential for biological control. Journal of Economic Entomology, 103: 1327-1337. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y. (2012): When subterranean termites challenge the rules of fungal epizootics. PLoS ONE, 7: e34484. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y., Elliott M.L. (2008): Interaction between the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in Foraging Arenas. Journal of Economc Entomology, 101: 885-893. doi: 10.17221/82/2015-PPS Go to original source...
    9. Chouvenc T., Efstathion C.A., Elliott M.L., Su N.Y. (2012a): Resource competition between two fungal parasites in subterranean termites. Naturwissenschaften, 99: 949-958. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Chouvenc T., Efstathion C.A., Elliott M.L., Su N.Y. (2013): Extended disease resistance emerging from the faecal nest of a subterranean termite. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 280: 20131885. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Chouvenc T., Robert A., Sémon E., Bordereau C. (2012b): Burial behaviour by dealates of the termite Pseudacanthotermes spiniger (Termitidae, Macrotermitinae) induced by chemical signals from termite corpses. Insectes Sociaux, 59: 119-125. Go to original source...
    12. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y., Grace J.K. (2011): Fifty years of attempted biological control of termites - Analysis of a failure. Biological Control, 59: 69-82. Go to original source...
    13. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y., Robert A. (2009a): Cellular encapsulation in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera), against infection by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 101: 234-241. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y., Robert A. (2009b): Inhibition of Metarhizium anisopliae in the alimentary tract of the eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 101: 130-136. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    15. Chouvenc T., Su N.Y., Robert A. (2009c): Susceptibility of seven termite species (Isoptera) to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Sociobiology, 54: 723-748.
    16. Dayakar S., Kanaujia K.R., Rathore R.R.S. (2000): Compatibility of entomogenous fungi with commonly used insecticides for the management of Spodoptera litura (Fab.). In: Ignacimuthu S., Sen A. (eds): Microbials in Insect Pest Management. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Delhi, Kolkata: 47-52.
    17. Ericsson J.D., Kabaluk J.T., Goettel M.S., Myers J.H. (2007): Spinosad interacts synergistically with the insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae against the exotic wireworms Agriotes lineatus and Agriotes obscures (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 100: 31-38. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Hiromori H., Nishigaki J. (2001): Factor analysis of synergistic effect between the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and synthetic insecticides. Applied Entomology and Zoology, 36: 231-236. Go to original source...
    19. Hoe P.K., Bong C.F.J., Jugah K., Rajan A. (2009): Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycete) isolates and their effects on subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 4: 289-297. Go to original source...
    20. Inglis G.D., Goettel M.S., Butt T.M., Strasser H. (2001): Use of hyphomycetous fungi for managing insect pests. In: Butt T.M., Jackson C., Magan N. (eds): Fungi as Biocontrol Agents: Progress, Problems and Potential. Wallingford, CAB International: 23-69. Go to original source...
    21. Lim K.H., Silek B. (2001): Termite infestations on oil palms planted on deep peat in Sarawak: Tradewinds experience. In: Proceedings 2001 PIPOC International Palm Oil Congress, Agriculture Conference, Kuala Lumpur 2001 - Cutting-edge Technology for Sustained Competitiveness. MPOB, Kuala Lumpur: 355-368.
    22. Luan F., Zhang S., Wang B., Huang B., Li Z. (2013): Genetic diversity of the fungal pathogen Metarhizium spp., causing epizootics in Chinese burrower bugs in the Jingting Mountains, eastern China. Molecular Biology Reports, 40: 515-523. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    23. Mburu D.M., Ochla L., Maniania N.K., Njagi P.G.N., Gitonga L.M., Ndung'u M.W., Wanjoya A.K., Hassanali A. (2009): Relationship between virulence and repellency of entomopathogenic isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to the termite Macrotermes michaelseni. Journal of Insect Physiology, 55: 774-780. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    24. Milner R.J., Staples J.A., Lutton G.G. (1998): The selection of an isolate of the hyphomycete fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, for control of termites in Australia. Biological Control, 11: 240-247. Go to original source...
    25. Moino Jr. A., Alves S.B. (1998): Efeito de imicacloprid e fipronil sobre Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. e Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. e no comportamento de limpeza de Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen). Anais da Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil, 27: 611-620. Go to original source...
    26. Neves P.M.O.J., Hirose E., Tchujo P.T., Moino Jr. A. (2001): Compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi with neonicotinoid insecticides. Neotropical Entomology, 30: 263-268. Go to original source...
    27. Pell J.K., Eilenberg J., Hajek A.E., Steinkraus D.C. (2001): Biology, ecology and pest management potential of Entomophthorales. In: Butt T.M., Jackson C., Magan N. (eds): Fungi as Biocontrol Agents: Progress, Problems and Potential. Wallingford, CAB International: 71-153. Go to original source...
    28. Ramakrishnan R., Suiter D.R., Nakatsu C.H., Humber R.A., Bennett G.W. (1999): Imidacloprid-enchanced Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) susceptibility to the entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae. Journal of Economic Entomology, 92: 1125-1132. Go to original source...
    29. Rath A.C. (2000): The use of entomopathogenic fungi for termite control. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 10: 563-581. Go to original source...
    30. Schumacher V., Poehling H.M. (2012): In vitro effect of pesticides on the germination, vegetative growth and conidial production of two strains of Metarhizium anisopliae. Fungal Biology, 116: 121-132. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    31. Shaw K.E., Davidson G., Clark S.J., Ball B.V., Pell J.K., Chandler D., Sunderland K.D. (2002): Laboratory bioassays to assess the pathogenicity of mitosporic fungi to Varroa destructor (Acari: Mesostigmata), an ectoparasitic mite of the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Biological Control, 24: 266-276. Go to original source...
    32. Sierotzki H., Camastral F., Shah P.A., Aebi M., Tuor U. (2000): Biological characteristics of selected Erynia neoaphidis isolates. Mycological Research, 104: 213-219. Go to original source...
    33. Silva R.A.D., Quintela E.D., Mascarin G.M., Barrigossi J.A.F., Lião L.M. (2013): Compatibility of conventional agrochemicals used in rice crops with the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Scientia Agricola, 70: 152-160. Go to original source...
    34. Wakil W., Yasin M., Qayyuan M.A., Asim M. (2012): Combined toxicity of Metarhizium anisopliae with sublethal doses of chlorpyrifos, fipronil and chlorantraniliprole against Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera: Blattidae). Pakistan Entomologist, 34: 59-63.

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content