Effectiveness of granular formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) on off-host larvae of Dermacentor albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae)

A Review of Commercial Metarhizium- and Beauveria-Based Biopesticides for the Biological Control of Ticks in the USA

“…Spray applications targeting foliage/turf where ticks quest have been extensively studied because of the increased potential for tick contact with infective conidia, a critical factor for successful fungal infection [ 11 ]. Granule/pellet formulations applied in their solid form also show effectiveness against ticks and there has been recent interest in the development of Metarhizium -based types, particularly for one-host species like D. albipictus and R. microplus , which infest large ungulates [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. Granules are formulated as an aerial conidia-based material grown on a nutritive substance (i.e., grains) or from microsclerotia (hyphal aggregates) or blastospores produced in liquid culture [ 59 , 61 , 62 ].…”

“…Granule/pellet formulations applied in their solid form also show effectiveness against ticks and there has been recent interest in the development of Metarhizium -based types, particularly for one-host species like D. albipictus and R. microplus , which infest large ungulates [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. Granules are formulated as an aerial conidia-based material grown on a nutritive substance (i.e., grains) or from microsclerotia (hyphal aggregates) or blastospores produced in liquid culture [ 59 , 61 , 62 ]. Because granules target the soil/duff layer, the fungi’s natural environment, and have persistence potential [ 63 ], they can provide sustained suppression over time, reducing the need for repeat applications.…”

“…The other study observed similar results against D. albipictus larvae, with mortality ranging from 79 to 82% after three weeks [ 38 ]. In a follow-up study, a Mb -F52 granular material was formulated using millet, a finer material, and mortality of ~80% was observed with no difference in mortality among application rates [ 61 ]. To overcome environmental effects and prolong longevity, prototype granular microsclerotia formulations using Mb -F52 have also been tested, with results providing up to 56 and 74% mortality for unfed and fed I. scapularis nymphs, respectively, within seven weeks [ 64 ].…”