Locust and biocontrol newsletter No. 1

a group could be set up under its auspices with Objective: limited effort. The idea of the working group is that this should be a medium for open To promote the utilisation of biological control exchange of information, disseminated through agents in acridid IPM by the mutually beneficial networking. To limit the amount of set up work exchange of information. Chris and I had to do, we have contacted one or two individuals in areas working on Edited by David Hunter and Chris Lomer biologicals. These initial members of the working group are just a starting point. Background Everyone is encouraged to disseminate the David Hunter newsletter to others they are working with, and Australian Plague Locust Commission, to suggest additional members. Chris and I Email: [email protected] have done some initial set up work. After the first newsletter, a co-ordinator will be elected, with democratic elections every year Biocontrol of locusts and is at a thereafter. critical stage. At a time of increasing constraints on insecticide use, we have a biocontrol agent (Metarhizium) that has been developed through the LUBILOSA project with The first newsletter significant contributions from other workers in This first newsletter is being sent out ahead of many parts of the world. Provisional the symposium on biological control that will be registrations of Metarhizium products have held at the International Orthopterists Society been obtained in Australia, South Africa and meeting in Montpellier (August 19-24). The the Sahelian countries (CILSS), and the aim is to have the newsletter disseminate product appears on the list of FAO approved some of our most recent results and to raise agents for locust control. Operational use has some issues ahead of the symposium. had a start, including Australia where more than 23,000 ha of locust bands and swarms Please send us material for the second were treated during the 2000-2001 locust newsletter, which will include a list of names season. But to facilitate the expansion of and emails of people working on locust operational use of biologicals, information on biocontrol, and should appear in November the most recent developments needs to be 2001. exchanged amongst researchers and to potential users. This newsletter aims to This newsletter is one of a range of AAAI provide a forum for the dissemination of activities to promote environmentally sound information not only on Metarhizium but other acridid control. Details of AAAI training biologicals, including conservation biocontrol courses in this area will be given in the next that have potential for locust control so that newsletter. biologicals can become an increasingly important part of the integrated pest Please feel free to photocopy and pass this management of locusts and grasshoppers. newsletter around. Subscription is free by emailing to [email protected] or Chris Lomer ([email protected]), or download from The working group as a network the AAAI web site. Chris Lomer and I thought that a good way to disseminate information would be through a locust and grasshopper biocontrol working group. And because a number of us are already part of the Association of Applied Acridology International (AAAI), it was thought

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 1 Symposium on biological control -- Montpellier papers: Wednesday August 22 at Orthopterists Society Meeting at What is the place of biological control Montpellier (19-22 August 2001) in acridid integrated pest management? BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND ITS Chris Lomer, ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), Moderators: Institute for Ecology, Zoology Section, Thorvaldsensvej 40, Chris Lomer, Royal Veterinary and 1871 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark (Email: Agricultural University, Copenhagen, [email protected]) Denmark Control of grasshoppers and locusts has David Hunter, Australian Plague Locust traditionally relied on synthetic insecticides, Commission, Canberra, Australia and for emergency situations, this is unlikely to change. Most locust control operations in Africa are conducted in 'crisis mode', and are Concept: affected by military situations which leave little Biological control of locusts and grasshoppers room for flexibility. Nevertheless, there is a using oil formulations of the fungus growing awareness of the environmental Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum is being impact of acridid control operations, and the increasingly accepted world-wide as a viable demand for a biological product is strong. and effective control option. As a biological agent, it does pose some operational A decade of research on the challenges, in terms of its slow speed of kill entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium and sensitivity to temperature extremes. anisopliae var. acridum has led to some However, its advantages in terms of extended astonishing field results. Contrary to some of field persistence, possibly due to recycling, and the more pessimistic scenarios envisaged at excellent safety record are leading to its uptake the outset of the development projects, trials in in some situations. The session will review Niger and Australia have shown that the progress in implementing biocontrol world-wide fungus can be formulated and applied under and explore some novel options, and revisit standard operating conditions, and that control some underestimated biocontrol agents. For is effective and long-lasting. Most importantly, wider implementation, biocontrol needs a the products are highly selective, safe to use, squeaky-clean safety record. We will examine and we have not been able to detect any side- current experimentation on environmental effects. This means that the natural enemy impact and safety and pinpoint areas of fauna is preserved and may be contributing to concern for future research. We will also focus control. Certainly, birds are unaffected by on some of the current constraints to the wider Metarhizium. Metarhizium, like many implementation of acridid biocontrol. biopesticides, thus offers a way of controlling pest outbreaks, without upsetting natural enemy populations. Metarhizium is a 'good' IPM technology which should lead to stabilisation of pest populations.

We can see an emerging IPM framework, based on good detection and prediction, chemical pesticides for swarm control and real emergencies, and Metarhizium for outbreaks with no immediate risk of crop damage. With Metarhizium established as part of the IPM portfolio, there will be scope to explore further biocontrol options, such as the microsporidian Nosema locustae and the hymenopteran egg parasitoids Scelio spp.

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 2 Symposium Program: Wednesday August 22, 2001

First half (25 minute talks with 5 minutes questions)

0830 Jürgen Langewald, Ralf Peveling and Ine Stolz. (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Benin; University of Basel, Switzerland) Implementing biological control of grasshoppers in West Africa and evaluating environmental impact 0900 Dan Johnson, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta, Canada Safety and integration of mycoinsecticides with the activities of -eating birds 0930 Richard Milner (CSIRO) and David Hunter (APLC) Recent developments with the use of fungi as biopesticides against locusts and grasshoppers in Australia

1000-1015 Coffee break

Second half: Progress reviews in the implementation of biocontrol (12 minute talks with 3 minutes questions)

1015 Ludivina Barrientos, Technological Institute of Higher Education, Tamaulipas, México Advances in Biological Control of locusts and grasshoppers in México 1030 Graeme Hamilton, APLC, Australia Biocontrol place in acridid IPM in Australia 1045 James Everts, Alpha Diallo, Abdoulaye Danfa and Wim Mullié, LOCUSTOX, Senegal New ecotoxicity data on Green Muscle 1100 Candido Santiago-Alvarez, University of Cordoba A short overview of locust biocontrol in Spain 1115 Carlos Lange, CEPAVE, Argentina Twenty years after the introduction of Nosema locustae in Argentina: an update 1130 Bonifacio Magalhães (Embrapa, Brazil) and Michel LeCoq, (PRIFAS-CIRAD, France) Development of a mycopesticide for locust control in Brazil

1145-1215 Summary and introduction to panel discussion C. Lomer Panel discussion (led by J. Lockwood, J. Everts and C. Lomer) Points for action, areas for further research

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 3 against locusts that are evaluated by the Large-scale environmental impact of Pesticide Referee Group of FAO, are biological control and the future of submitted to tests with non-target species from the target habitat and field tests. In the present grasshopper control in the Sahel study first tier challenge tests were carried out J. Langewald1, R. Peveling2 & I. Stolz2 with Green MuscleÒ, (active ingredient: acridid pathogen Metarhizium (flavoviride) anisopliae 1 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Plant Health Management Division, 08 B.P. 0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, var. acridum) on five non-target organisms: a Republic of Benin fish (Oreochromis niloticus), an aquatic 2 Institute for Environmental Sciences, NLU-Biogeography, hemipteran (Anisops sardeus), two terrestrial University of coleopteran natural enemies of locusts Basel, St. Johanns-Vorstadt 10, 4056 Basel, Switzerland (Pimelia senegalensis and Trachyderma hispida), a parasitic hymenopteran (Bracon After many years of research and large scale hebetor) and a termite (Psammotermes field testing, isolates of the fungus Metarhizium hybostoma). The tests were carried out anisopliae are now commercialised as the according to Standard Operation Procedures most effective biocontrols for grasshoppers for synthetic chemicals adapted for testing with and locusts available. In the context of the pathogens, with the exception of P. development of Green Muscle, most of the hybostoma. The latter species was tested in a early large scale field testing was carried out in controlled field set-up. Results indicated that at the Sahel and particularly in Niger. As a part of extreme exposure Green MuscleÒ may be field testing, the ecotoxicological impact of the infective for O. niloticus and A. sardeus. The novel product was compared with standard hemipterans are, irrespective of the dose, synthetic insecticides. The results show that affected by the solvent (a mixture of mineral Green Muscle had no negative impact on non- and organic oil) which partly covers the water target Hymenoptera and on soil dwelling non surface, hampering breathing. In a field test, target . However, concerning environmental factors (especially wind) Hymenoptera the studies also revealed the appeared to attenuate this effect. P. limits of field testing, even at a scale of 800ha senegalensis and T. hispida proved insensitive plots, where data variability becomes a to direct exposure. B. hebetor was infected problem. With the limitations of both through direct exposure as well as ecotoxicological studies in mind, developing exposed as a larva in a host (Ephesthia future grasshopper control strategies should be kuehniella). The semi-field test with P. designed in a way, that even potential hybostoma indicated that the termites may be environmental hazards are avoided. Not only sensitive to the pathogen. direct environmental impact needs to be studied, but also impact of food depletion on important grasshopper natural enemies or rare species. Particularly in the Sahel, where EUROPE authorities are still following curative control Biological control of locusts and strategies, and where the average annual area grasshoppers in southern Europe sprayed may be the largest world-wide, better Cándido Santiago-Alvarez, Pablo control strategies are needed. Valverde-García and Enrique Quesada- Moraga New Ecotoxicity data on Green Muscle Departamento de Ciencias y Recursos Agrícolas y 1 2 James Everts , Abdoulaye Danfa , Apha Forestales, ETSIAM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, O. Diallo2 and Wim C. Mullié1 Spain

1Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Matt Thomas & Simon Blanford, NERC Project GCP/SEN/053/ NET, POBox 3300, Dakar, Senegal Centre for Population Biology and CABI Bioscience, 2Fondation CERES/Locustox, PO Box 3300 Dakar, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks., UK. Senegal Javier Celma and José Luis Collar, In general, biopesticides represent a lower Aragonesas Agro SA, Paseo de Recoletos 27, 28004 environmental risk than synthetic compounds. Madrid, Spain. However, their non-target toxicity, even when low, should be well known, in order to Locusts and grasshoppers are key pests in enhance the selectivity of applications to a several parts of Europe and the neighbouring technical maximum. All insecticides used regions. The Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 4 maroccanus, has been recorded as an entomopathogenic fungi can supplement or important pest of pasture and crops in Spain even replace chemical insecticides in the for several centuries. Outbreaks also occur in control of grasshoppers. An integrated other Mediterranean areas such as southern research project was initiated in Brazil in 1993 Italy, Crete, Sardinia, Morocco, Algeria and at Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Turkey, as well as parts of eastern Europe and Corporation) Genetic Resources and the former Soviet Union. Biotechnology with the specific objective of developing bioinsecticides based on Chemical insecticides have to-date provided entomopathogenic micro-organisms, specially the only means for ensuring wide-scale control fungi, to control grasshoppers. Our activities of locust and grasshopper outbreaks. The were centred in surveys, characterisation, widespread use of such chemicals and their production, formulation, and field evaluation. associated detrimental effects on the Emphasis has been given to develop the environment, combined with the hazard they fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum, represent to users and livestock, remains a the most promising candidate as biocontrol major drawback to continued reliance on their agent against grasshoppers. It has been use. demonstrated that this pathogen can be used efficiently in the control of R. schistocercoides In light of this, in early 2000 a collaborative in Brazil. We are now verifying its effects on European research project entitled, ‘Protecting non-target organisms including other Biodiversity through the Development of , Diptera and Hymenoptera. Environmentally Sustainable Locust and Grasshopper Control’ (ESLOCO), was initiated. Its aim is to reduce the environmental Twenty years after the introduction of impact of locust and grasshopper control Nosema locustae for grasshopper operations through the development of a new control in Argentina: an update. environmentally sustainable strategy, based on Carlos E. Lange, the use of Metarhizium anisopliae var. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores acridum. Here we report on the first field trials (CEPAVE), CIC – CONICET – La Plata National conducted in Spain as part of the ESLOCO University, Calle 2 # 584, (1900) La Plata, Argentina. project. The results demonstrate that M. E-mail: [email protected] anisopliae var. acridum is highly infective to both Moroccan locust and Italian grasshopper, Nosema locustae is a spore-forming pathogen the two most important acridid pests in the (Microspora) of the adipose tissue of region. orthopterans that was selected and developed in the USA as a microbial control agent of grasshoppers. When its development was well advanced but as early as two years before its SOUTH AMERICA registration in the USA (1980), a series of introductions into grasshopper communities The use of Metarhizium anisopliae var. began in Argentina that extended from 1978 to acridum against the grasshopper 1982. These applications were the first use of Rhammatocerus schistocercoides in the pathogen outside of North America, and Brazil although considered experimental at the time, B.P. Magalhães1, M. Lecoq2, M.R. de they were actually of a rather large-scale magnitude. Using inoculum of north American Faria1, F.G.V. Schmidt1, J.B.T. Silva1, G. 2 2 origin (spores produced either by the USDA Balança , ª Fourcart laboratory in Bozeman, Montana, or by 1Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 2372, Brasília, DF, Brazil, CEP 70849-970; 2CIRAD BioEcologists in Colorado) and following (Prifas), B.P. 5035, 34032 Montpellier Cedex 1, France standard application procedures (spores on bran baits delivered to third-instar nymphs), N. The control of grasshoppers in Brazil has been locustae was introduced in a total of nine based exclusively on chemical insecticides localities, seven in the Pampas region (fenitrothion and malathion). However, as (Casbas, Gorchs, Lamadrid, Macachín, these products are known to be harmful to the Pringles, Santa Rosa, Suárez) and two in environment, their massive use has caused northwestern Patagonia (Gualjaina, Zapala). concerns. To face the pressure against the use Unfortunately, after the last introductions the of chemical insecticides to control work lost continuity. The short-term impact grasshoppers, the development of alternative (control within seasons of applications) of the methods became imperative. Some species of introductions will remain unknown because

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 5 reports were not produced and data on recurrent and serious before the introductions. infectivity and density reductions are not Similar areas in terms of climate, available. Similarly, the long-term outcome of physiography, land uses, and composition of the introductions was unknown for years until grasshopper communities, but with absence of the pathogen was re-found in 1991 parasitizing N. locustae continue to suffer recurrent three species of grasshoppers. Since then, outbreaks; every single opportunity for monitoring the 3, No other microsporidium is known where N. presence of N. locustae in grasshoppers of the locustae became established while country is used. Up to now, establishment of establishment apparently did not occur where the agent was observed in two well-defined a native microsporidium, Perezia dichroplusae, areas: Gualjaina in Patagonia, and an area in is present; the western Pampas surrounding three of the 4, Transmission being the key factor governing application sites. Infections were diagnosed in the epizootics of a pathogen, N. locustae 14 species of grasshoppers, while 30 others, appears to be operating in accordance to its including some known to be experimentally efficient horizontal transmission, in contrast to susceptible and some occurring in sites where the way P. dichroplusae does, which exhibits infection is present, were never found to be vertical transmission as its main mode of infected. Ten out of the 14 species with persistence. infections were melanoplines (: Melanoplinae), two were gomphocerines The original concept for the use of N. locustae (), and two romaleids was “to augment natural control factors for the (Romaleidae), which agrees with host range long-term suppression and maintenance of observations obtained in North America. grasshopper densities”. Later commercial Maximum geographic dispersion of the development obscured this initial concept, and pathogen recorded was 160 km. Prevalences false expectations were assumed by most registered were normally much higher than in people, expecting rapid reductions of pest areas where N. locustae is known to be native grasshoppers. Although out of it native land, N. (North America, India, South Africa), and locustae appears to be operating in Argentina unusually high prevalences (epizootics) of up very much in the way it was originally to 75 % were not uncommon. conceived. In this sense, it would be of much interest to monitor for the presence of N. Although at the time of the introductions, N. locustae in areas of introductions that have locustae was employed in an inundative been conducted in other countries, like Mali, manner, expecting some short-term effects, it Niger, Cape Verde and Australia. became a typical example of the colonisation (introduction-establishment) approach of using entomopathogens. It is also an example of what has been termed neo-classical biological control, in which an exotic agent is used to control a native pest. The establishment, spread and possible effects of a new disease over large areas in not just one but many hosts of different susceptibilities is a subject of high Prospecting Yields Three New complexity. Even more so when quantitative Microbial Control Agents of Acridids in data on abundances of hosts prior to the Argentina. introductions are not available and some Carlos E. Lange scenarios are also greatly influenced by other Argentina, CEPAVE, [email protected] forces, like habitat disruption. In this context, the case of N. locustae in Argentina poses The ongoing search for protozoan pathogens more uncertainties than answers, and it is the associated with grasshoppers and locusts in subject of much speculation. However, some Argentina have recently yielded findings of interesting points can be raised: three species of septate gregarines 1, given the levels of occurrence of N. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida). They have been locustae and knowing the negative effects well found in various species of melanoplines documented on hosts, the pathogen must be (Acrididae: Melanoplinae), and two of them somehow affecting grasshopper communities appear to constitute previously unknown in Argentina; species. The characteristics of the other 2, In areas where N. locustae became greatly agree with those reported for established, problems with grasshoppers were Amoebogregarina nigra, recently described by never since reported again, and they were Kula and Clopton (1999; J. Parasitol., 85:

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 6 321-325) from Melanoplus differentialis in A comparative analysis on Random Amplified Southwestern Nebraska. Although Polymorphic DNA patterns between two eugregarines are regarded more as Mexican isolates of Metarhizium, MaPL40 and commensals rather than true pathogens, these MaPL32, and the Australian isolate of findings might be useful for undertaking studies Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum (FI985), on their eventual effects on hosts (Center for showed that the Mexican isolates and the Parasitological Studies (CEPAVE, UNLP). Australian isolate have similar DNA fingerprints and belong therefore to the same variety.

NORTH AMERICA Mexican isolates have been formulated in mineral and vegetable oils. Citroline mineral oil (derived from petroleum) gave the highest MEXICO viability of M. anisopliae conidia at 7 and 27°C, causing 100% mortality 7 days after Advances in biological control of application. locusts and grasshoppers in México Ludivina Barrientos Lozano1 Víctor M. 2 3 Comparative studies between the Mexican and Hernández Velázquez & Richard J. Milner . the Australian isolates were carried out over a range of temperatures against the wingless 1 Instituto Tecnológico de Cd. Victoria. Blvd. Emilio Portes grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum Sjostedt). Gil No. 1301. Cd. Victoria, Tam. México. E-mail: [email protected] Seventeen days after treatment MaPL32 gave 2Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biológico satisfactory results, with >90% mortality at SAGARPA-DGSV. Km 1.5 Carretera Tecomán-Estación temperatures between 20 to 35°C, but results FCC, Tecomán, Colima, 28130. México. were poor at 15°C; MaPL40 results were 3CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. satisfactory between 20 to 30°C with unsatisfactory performance at extreme Biological control is not a new strategy in temperatures of 15 and 35°C; the Australian México, its history extends over more than 60 isolate FI985 provided >90% mortality at 20 to years. This technique has been implemented 35°C and 50% mortality at 15°C. Later successfully to reduce populations of diverse mortality was low, however, it was better than pests below economic importance levels, mortality provided for the isolate MaPL32 at including Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, 15°C which was only 20%. Eriosoma lanigerum Hausm., Anastrepha Mass production of isolates MaPL32 and ludens Loew and Spodoptera frugiperda Smith. MaPL40 is in progress to carry out more extensive field trials against the Central In 1993, laboratory and field studies were American locust from October 2001 onwards. initiated to develop a biological control strategy for locusts and grasshoppers. Major activities of this programme include: local surveying for Treatment of bands of the Central entomopathogenic fungi, laboratory screening American locust Schistocerca of isolates to identify more virulent strains, piceifrons with Metarhizium anisopliae improve massive production quality of virulent in México strains, formulation and field evaluation of Ludivina Barrientos Lozano1 Víctor M. entomopathogenic isolates. Hernández Velázquez2 & David M. Hunter3.

The National Centre for Biological Control 1 Instituto Tecnológico de Cd. Victoria. Blvd. Emilio Portes (Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Gil No. 1301. Cd. Victoria, Tam. México. E-mail: 2 Biológico-CNRCB) has, in its entomopathogen [email protected] Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biológico SAGARPA-DGSV. Km 1.5 Carretera collection, 35 isolates of Metarhizium spp. (M. Tecomán-Estación FCC, Tecomán, Colima, 28130. anisopliae, M.anisopliae var acridum and M. México. [email protected] 3Australian Plague Locust flavoviride) obtained from the Central American Commission, AFFA, GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601, locust (Schistocerca piceifrons piceifrons Australia. [email protected] Walker) in the States of Colima, Michoacán, Chiapas and Revillagigedo Island in the Pacific During September 2000, about 40 bands of Coast. The isolates MaPL39, MaPL35 and Schistocerca piceifrons piceifrons near Tizimin, MaPL40 are amongst the most virulent with Yucatan, were treated with Mexican isolates median lethal times (MLT) of 5.5, 5.3 and 5.0 (MPL-40 and MPL-32) of Metarhizium days, respectively. anisopliae var acridum. To limit the invasion of untreated bands from the outside, a site was chosen near the edge of the infestation.

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 7 Treatments were with knapsack sprayers at Chortoicetes terminifera were aerially treated 50g Metarhizium in 1 litre of Citroline mineral with Green GuardÒ, a commercially produced oil/ha and after treatment, mortality was ULV oil formulation of the FI-985 isolate of assessed by following the bands in the field. Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum. During Weather was usually sunny in the morning with initial trials in late October, early to mid instar cloud and showers during most afternoons, bands were aerially treated at very low to low with temperatures ranging from 20-25oC at doses (12-25 g in 500 ml oil/ha = 0.5-1.0 x 1012 night to 32-35oC during the day. conidia/ha). During the sunny, mild (maxima 20-27oC) weather that followed, locust Before treatment and for a few days numbers rapidly declined in 8-12 days, with afterwards, most bands were large and dense, final mortality reaching >90%. Mortality was and for most of the morning were visible on the delayed slightly in drainage lines where grass from a distance of tens of metres. While vegetation was dense and with bands that untreated bands remained dense and very invaded the treated area from the outside. visible for the duration of the experiment, treated bands began to break up by day 6. During November-January, bands were treated Treated bands that remained in the treated at 17 or 25 g/ha (0.7-1.0 x 1012 conidia/ha) as area began to decline 6 days after treatment part of locust control operations. With nymphs with the decline reaching 86% by days 11-13 treated in early November final mortality was for bands treated with strain MPL-40 and >80%, but mortality took 2-3 weeks because >95% with bands treated with MPL-32. Bands days were hot and nights cool, providing only that left the treated areas within 2-3 days of short periods of the warm temperatures that treatment had less opportunity to pick up favour Metarhizium development. Between Metarhizium from the vegetation declined by mid November and January, mortality was about 80% within 12 days of treatment. more rapid, with >90% of nymphs dying in 10-14 days. Nights were warm because The rapid decline beginning 6-9 days after weather was either hot or cloudy providing treatment is similar to the rapid decline to a conditions ideal for Metarhizium. At 17g/ha high final mortality obtained in Australia and (0.7 x 1012 conidia/ha), Green GuardÒ costs Africa during hot weather. Both of the strains $US 4/ha, a price that is only slightly higher worked well, and future trials on a larger scale than most insecticides. will facilitate the operational use of Metarhizium in México. While the initial operational uses of Green GuardÒ, in environmentally sensitive areas and on properties producing organic beef, when word spread that this biological worked, other landholders asked for Metarhizium to be used. While some landholders preferred Metarhizium because of a general preference for avoiding chemicals whenever possible, others liked the management option of not having to consider withholding periods when sending livestock to market or harvesting crops.

During the coming year, Green GuardÒ will continue to be used as part of an integrated locust control program. During this program, AUSTRALIA fenitrothion will be the control agent of choice near crops with the slower acting but more persistent fipronil used as a barrier treatment in Operational Use of Metarhizium locust source areas in the interior. Green anisopliae for Locust Control in GuardÒ will be used in environmentally Australia sensitive areas such as near water or where David M. Hunter there are rare or endangered species, and on Australian Plague Locust Commission, land holdings where withholding periods to [email protected] market or organic status prevent chemical use. The aim will be to determine, under operational Between October 2000 and January 2001, conditions, the control agent most appropriate over 23,000 ha of nymph bands of for each situation.

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 8 isolates from other hosts as well as the Beauveria bassiana – Studies on its Mycotech Botaniguard isolate were less potential for control of wingless pathogenic. Isolates from wingless grasshopper grasshopper were found to grow on agar plates over the range 10-32oC with an optimum R. Milner o Australia, CSIRO Entomology, [email protected] around 24 C. Differences between isolates from wingless grasshopper were slight in terms A major grasshopper pest in Australia is the of in vitro growth and virulence. A marginally wingless grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum. more virulent isolate, FI-1437, was chosen for Outbreaks occur during periods of reduced more detailed studies. parasitism following below average rainfall in the tableland areas of Tasmania, South Comparisons between FI-1437 and FI-985 have shown that both strains are similar in Australia and Western Australia. Dense o populations (50-100 or more/m2) can destroy virulence at 20 C, but at lower temperatures large tracts of grazing land at times when FI-1437 is substantially more effective (Table). forage is short and often invade high value Other bioassays using lower doses of FI-1437 have shown that it is very effective under crops such as grapes, vegetables, fruit and o tree nurseries. The insect has an annual life alternating 10-20 C conditions and that there is cycle with overwintering eggs hatching in no significant difference in the dose required October, passing through 5 instars from and the time taken to kill between FI-1437 and October to late January/February when the FI-985. It is concluded that FI-1437 is a very adults fledge and lay eggs which diapause promising control agent for wingless over winter. The main damage is done during grasshopper and it is hoped to field test this the warmer months of December to March. isolate during the 2001/2002 season. Spraying chemical pesticides such as fenitrothion is effective in killing the grasshoppers present at the time of spraying TABLE - Sporulation of wingless grasshoppers but may give only short-term relief as the treated with either FI-1437 (Beauveria often re-invade within 1 to 2 weeks. bassiana) or FI-985 (M. anisopliae var. Natural control from parasitism is important acridum) at constant with wingless grasshopper and because of 10, 15 and 20oC. this, as well as concerns over residues and the re-invasion problem, farmers are usually FI-1437 of B. bassiana reluctant to spray chemicals. Dose 10oC 15oC 20oC Dose 1* 89** 93 77 Trials with the biopesticide, Green GuardÒ, a Dose 2 82 87 77 product containing live conidia of Metarhizium Dose 3 32 46 56 anisopliae var. acridum (FI-985) which is now Dose 4 0 3 7 used for locust control in Australia, have given mixed results against wingless grasshopper. Control 0 0 0 Control early in the season, when it is most beneficial, is often made difficult by prevailing FI-985 of M. anisopliae o o o temperatures often being too low for effective Dose 10 C 15 C 20 C control with Metarhizium. Temperatures are Dose 1* 0** 50 79 often in the region of 10oC at night and 20oC Dose 2 0 4 50 during the day, well below the most effective o Dose 3 0 0 0 temperatures for Metarhizium of 25-30 C. Dose 4 0 0 0 Beauveria bassiana is a significant natural Control 0 0 0 mortality factor and is known to be effective at lower temperatures than those required by Doses for FI-985: dose 1 = 4 x 104, Metarhizium. Consequently a study has been 3 2 initiated to assess the potential of this fungus dose 2 = 4 x 10 , dose 3 = 4 x 10 , 1 for control of grasshoppers under cool dose 4 = 4 x 10 conidia/insect. conditions. Doses for FI-1437: dose 1 = 2.8 x 105, Initial screening bioassays showed that dose 2 – 2.8 x 104, dose 3 = 2.8 x 103, isolates originating from wingless dose 4 = 2.8 x 102 conidia/insect. grasshoppers were highly virulent, while ** Number is percentage sporulation (n=30).

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 9 General Microbial pesticides based on oil formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum are World-wide survey of regulations currently being developed. Green Guard, an affecting biopesticides oil formulation of an Australian strain (FI-985) Chris Lomer is registered provisionally for organic use in Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), Australia, and Green Muscle, an oil formulation Institute for Ecology, Zoology Section, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark (Email: of a strain from Niger (IMI 330189) has provisional registration in South Africa and in [email protected]) CILSS (Sahelian) countries. Green Muscle appears also on the FAO list of approved Biological pesticides (biopesticides, microbial products for locust control. control agents, microbiological pest control agents) are regulated in different ways in different countries. The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has conducted a survey in developed AFRICA countries, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is in the process of West Africa Regional Training Course conducting a survey in developing countries. on Biocontrol While some countries have developed specific Yene Belayneh, Senior Technical Advisor, regulations covering biopesticides, many USAID/AFR/SD/CMR; ybelayneh@afr- countries use the basic legislation developed sd.org for chemical pesticides. Bacillus thuringiensis Jürgen Langewald, LUBILOSA project has been registered in this way in many leader, IITA, [email protected] countries. The specific issues associated with the registration of natural living organisms are A USAID-AELGA and IITA/Benin-sponsored quite different from those affecting chemical West Africa Regional Training course was pesticides; microbial pesticides are not likely to successfully completed. USAID's Africa cause pollution or non-target effects, but they Emergency Locust/GrasshopperAssistance are capable of reproduction in the field. (AELGA) project and the International Institute Through many years of experience, the of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin jointly organisms commonly used in microbial launched a very successful regional training pesticides are known to be safe to man, but course on biological control of locusts and more research is needed to determine their grasshoppers for Western Africa. The training environmental impact when used repeatedly was officially opened by the Acting Director for on a large scale. This impact is not likely to be USAID/Benin. pronounced; we might expect to see a temporary replacement of the indigenous The five-day intensive, technical course was micro-flora with the biopesticidal strain and a conducted from 1-6 May at the IITA's Center, reduction in susceptible insect populations. in Cotonou, Benin. The primary objectives of Nevertheless, more research should be carried the training course were to: out, probably in the context of monitoring of a) provide researchers and crop operational-scale applications. protection technicians with state-of- the-art techniques for launching In general, the first-time importation of non- locusts and grasshoppers (l/g) indigenous microbial control agents must biocontrol research, development and conform to the FAO Code of Conduct on the implementation initiatives, Importation of Biological Control Agents, or b) enhance the capacity of participants to equivalent national or regional (EPPO) effectively transfer skills and regulations. These regulations are normally knowledge in l/g biocontrol techniques focussed at the species level, and most to extension agents, farmers, NGOs microbial pesticides are based on micro- and other potential partners, organisms that are commonly isolated in all c) encourage and promote national, countries of the world, so in principle there regional and inter-regional initiatives should be no problem. However, authorities and collaborations in l/g biocontrol are tending to take a cautious line in agreeing strategies and implementation efforts, to import exotic strains until more information is and available on their potential environmental d) equip the participants with the tools impact. necessary to sensitise and educate

Association of Applied Acridology International Biocontrol working group newsletter 1 p 10 decision makers and the ultimate end- Publications and reports users in the development and use of biological control agents as the key Hunter, D. M., R. J. Milner, & P. A. Spurgin component of an IPM strategy for l/g (2001). Aerial treatment of the Australian management. plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with Metarhizium Fourteen qualified and carefully selected anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: candidates from eight West African countries, Hyphomycetes). Bulletin of Entomological including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Research 91: 93-99. Guinea Conakry, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Lomer C. J., R. P. Bateman, D. L. Johnson, J. Senegal participated in the training course. Langewald, and M. Thomas. Biological The course, which included presentations on a control of locusts and grasshoppers. wide range of topics on l/g biocontrol, (2001) Annual Review of Entomology 46: laboratory and field work, panel discussions 667-702. and country updates by participants put Magalhães, B.P, M. Lecoq, M.R. de Faria, emphasis on the key techniques and strategies F.G.V. Schmidt, and JW.D. Guerra. (2000) employed to research, develop, mass produce, Field trial with the entomopathogenic commercialise, regulate and implement fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum environmentally benign and safer alternatives against bands of the grasshopper for the control of locusts and grasshoppers in Rhammatocerus schistocercoides in Brazil. Sahelian Africa. Biocontrol Science and Technology 10: 427-441 This is part of AELGA's regional training initiatives that target qualified senior technical staff and researchers engaged in the search and development of environmentally friendly Web sites: alternatives using naturally occurring insect http://www.lubilosa.org pathogens (disease causing organisms) that http://www.fao.org specifically attack target pests, i.e., http://www.affa.gov.au/docs/ locusts/grasshoppers. We are pleased to animalplanthealth/plague/ mention that AELGA had successfully conducted similar training courses for north http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/grasshopper/ eastern, eastern, south-central and southern African countries. In all these, we had been able to leverage sponsorships and valuable collaborations from regional and international organisations, host country ministries, field missions and other partners.

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