Metarhizium anisopliae

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Metarhizium_anisopliae_infected_cockroach_(PLoS)

Metarhizium anisopliae is a fungus that grows naturally in soils throughout the world and causes disease in various insects by acting as a parasite. It is a member of the Ascomycota phylum and is known for its use in biological pest control.

Taxonomy and Classification

Metarhizium anisopliae belongs to the kingdom Fungi, phylum Ascomycota, class Sordariomycetes, order Hypocreales, and family Clavicipitaceae.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Metarhizium anisopliae involves several stages:

• Spore germination
• Hyphal growth
• Penetration of the host cuticle
• Proliferation within the host
• Sporulation on the host surface

Pathogenicity

Metarhizium anisopliae infects insects by attaching to the host's cuticle, germinating, and then penetrating the cuticle to reach the hemocoel. Once inside, the fungus proliferates, eventually killing the host. This makes it an effective agent for biological pest control.

Applications in Pest Control

Metarhizium anisopliae is used in agriculture and forestry to control various insect pests. It is particularly effective against Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera species. The fungus can be applied as a biopesticide in the form of spores, which infect and kill the target insects.

Research and Development

Ongoing research focuses on improving the efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae as a biocontrol agent. This includes genetic modification to enhance virulence, formulation improvements for better application, and studies on its interaction with other microorganisms in the soil.

Related Species

Metarhizium anisopliae is closely related to other species in the Metarhizium genus, such as:

• Metarhizium robertsii
• Metarhizium brunneum
• Metarhizium majus

See Also

• Biological pest control
• Entomopathogenic fungi
• Ascomycota
• Hypocreales