BACKGROUND: Loxosceles genus (brown spider) is an important pest with great impact on public health. Thus, more effective strategies for spider control are necessary. METHODS: Three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae fungus were tested for the control of Loxosceles sp. RESULTS: Metarhizium anisopliae isolate E6 was highly virulent to the Loxosceles sp. spider, causing 100% mortality at 10(9) conidia/ml after 12 days and 9 days for juvenile and adult spiders, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the pathogenicity of M. anisopliae against a venomous arthropod. This fungus could offer an interesting alternative to reduce loxoscelism in future biocontrol strategies.
BACKGROUND: Loxosceles genus (brown spider) is an important pest with great impact on public health. Thus, more effective strategies for spider control are necessary. METHODS: Three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae fungus were tested for the control of Loxosceles sp. RESULTS:Metarhizium anisopliae isolate E6 was highly virulent to the Loxosceles sp. spider, causing 100% mortality at 10(9) conidia/ml after 12 days and 9 days for juvenile and adult spiders, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the pathogenicity of M. anisopliae against a venomous arthropod. This fungus could offer an interesting alternative to reduce loxoscelism in future biocontrol strategies.
Authors: Walter O Beys-da-Silva; Lucélia Santi; Markus Berger; Diego Calzolari; Dario O Passos; Jorge A Guimarães; James J Moresco; John R Yates Journal: J Proteome Res Date: 2014-04-17 Impact factor: 4.466