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Growth response of Metarhizium anisopliae to two Formosan subterranean termite nest volatiles, naphthalene and fenchone

Abstract The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin was investigated as a control agent against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Metarhizium anisopliae is a known insect pathogen and its effectiveness against termite species has been demonstrated. Use of this fungus in an integrated pest management scheme may be effective. In order to function in this manner, M. anisopliae must withstand the environment of a Formosan subterranean termite nest, including the presence of the volatile chemicals naphthalene and fenchone. These chemicals have been identified from Formosan termite nests, but their significance, if any, in a termite society is unknown. In this study M. anisopliae strain ESC1 was exposed to several concentrations of naphthalene, (+)fenchone and (-)fenchone to determine when significant inhibition of growth occurs. Fungi were exposed to the specified amount of volatile chemical in individual Petri dishes, and incubated in sealed environmental chambers. Metarhizium anisopliae grown in Petri dishes containing 0.1 mg, 1 mg and 10 mg of naphthalene exhibited 0%, 30% and 80% inhibition of radial growth, respectively, when compared to an unexposed control. Exposure to 1 μL, 10 μL and 100 μL of (-)fenchone resulted in 6%, 28% and 100% inhibition, respectively. Exposure to 1 μL, 10 μL and 100 μL of (+)fenchone resulted in 17%, 22% and 100% inhibition, respectively. Once inhibition rates were established for the individual chemicals, M. anisopliae was exposed to combinations of naphthalene and fenchone. These combinations did not result in significantly more inhibition than the individual volatiles.