Metarhizium flavoviride

Metarhizium flavoviride
Unidentified leafhopper (Cicadellidae) infected with M. flavoviride: Atewa forest, Ghana (2008)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Subkingdom:	Dikarya
Phylum:	Ascomycota
Class:	Sordariomycetes
Order:	Hypocreales
Family:	Clavicipitaceae
Genus:	Metarhizium
Species:	M. flavoviride
Binomial name
Metarhizium flavoviride Gams & Roszypal, 1973

Metarhizium flavoviride is the name given to a group of fungal isolates that are known to be virulent against Hemiptera and some Coleoptera. Spores (conidia) are light grey-green and oval-shaped (approximately 7-11 µm long)^[1].

As with other Metarhizium species, there has been interest in developing isolates into mycoinsecticides: with work carried out on rice insect pests during the 1970-80s^[2]. However, such isolates appear to be more difficult to mass produce, so there has been less commercial activity than with other Metarhizium species. In light of new molecular techniques, we now know that references to this species for control of locusts (e.g. in early LUBILOSA Programme literature) should apply to Metarhizium acridum.

References

1. ^ Humber RA. 1997. Fungi: identification. In: Manual of techniques in insect pathology. San Diego, California (USA): Academic Press Inc. p 153-185.
2. ^ Shepard BM, Barrion AT, Litsinger JA. 1987. Helpful insects, spiders, and pathogens. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 127 pp.

See also

• Metarhizium