Interaction Between the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in Foraging Arenas

2008 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 885-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Chouvenc ◽  
Nan-Yao Su ◽  
Monica L. Elliott
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah E. Davis ◽  
Stefania Meconcelli ◽  
Renate Radek ◽  
Dino P. McMahon

AbstractTermites defend their colonies from disease using an array of social behaviours, including allogrooming, cannibalism, and burial. We tested how groups of eastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) deploy these behaviours when presented with a nestmate at different stages of infection with the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. As expected, the termites groomed pathogen-exposed individuals significantly more than mock-treated controls; however, grooming levels were significantly higher after spore germination than before. Cannibalism became prevalent only after exposed termites became visibly ill, and burial was rarely observed. These results demonstrate that termites employ different strategies depending on the stage of infection that they encounter. Grooming intensity is linked not only to pathogen presence, but also to germination status, and, given the temporal correlation between cannibalism and visible signs of illness, the host may play a role in triggering its own sacrifice.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Lucas Carnohan ◽  
Sang-Bin Lee ◽  
Nan-Yao Su

Effective active ingredients in toxicant bait formulations must be non-deterrent to insect feeding behavior at lethal concentrations. This study evaluated feeding deterrence for Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, C. gestroi (Wasmann), and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) when provided access to cellulose impregnated with various concentrations of the insect molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Termites were exposed to 20E concentrations of 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm and to noviflumuron at 5000 ppm in a 24 h choice-test, and the mass of substrate consumption from treated and untreated media pads was compared for each treatment. 20E feeding deterrence was detected at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm for C. gestroi, and at 2000 ppm for C. formosanus. No significant differences in consumption of treated and untreated substrate was detected at any concentration for R. flavipes. Potential methods for reducing deterrence are discussed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kava - Cordeiro ◽  
E.A. Luna - Alves - Lima ◽  
J.L. Azevedo

A wild strain of Metarhizium anisopliae, an entomopathogenic fungus, was submitted to three mutagenic agents: gamma radiation, ultraviolet light and nitrous acid. Survival curves were obtained and mutants were selected using different mutagenic doses which gave 1 to 5% survival. Morphological and auxotrophic mutants were isolated. Morphological mutants were grouped in a class with yellow conidia and other with pale vinaceous conidia as opposed to the green wild type conidia. Auxotrophic mutants had requirements for vitamin and aminoacid biosynthesis. More than 58% of the total auxotrophk mutants required proline/aipnine. Gamma radiation showed to be the most efficient mutagenic agent giving 0.2% of auxotrophk mutants followed by ultraviolet light (0.12%) and nitrous acid (0.06%).The conidial colour and auxotrophk mutants isolated until now from M. anisopliae were reviewed.


1980 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Al-Aidroos

In an attempt to demonstrate the existence of a parasexual cycle in the imperfect entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin, doubly- and triply-marked strains were forced to form heterokaryons. All heterokaryons produced diploid spores, two of which yielded putative recombinants.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document