Pathogenicity of Two Species of Entomopathogenic Agents to Subterranean Termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Laboratory

Abstract

Pathogenicity of two species of entomopathogenic agents to subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in laboratory Pathogenic ctffl'ci, (I/' I ! L o species of entomopathogenic agents, Metarhizium anisopliae and Bacillus thuringiensis A ard B, li,erc3 rcsted to st~bterralzean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann in laboratory. Three groups of rhc tcrti~ite tclor.ker:s were each e.xposed to a treated filter paper with one of the entomopathogenic agents for one irzir~zlte. Ti~,el~~v-fteivrme ite ~iorkersa nd three soldiers were then transferred to a wetfilter paper disk that hrld bretz itzst~~lleitnt ti pl~zstic vial. The test materials were stored in a dark and humid at room temperature for 14 dc~j'.s. Five replicates were provided. Observations were conducted daily to determine termite nlortality urld take out dead termites. Reszllts showed that the fungus M. anisopliae was more pathogenic than Bt. A and 5. After bc>ing exposed to treated paper with the fungus, all test termites died within 8-10 days. Treatments with B. thuringierisis A and B did not produce high mortality, and seemed to be not different from the control, only causiilg less tho11 3% ternzitc mortality until the end of the tests.