The development of a mycoinsecticide for the control of locusts and grasshoppers

Both national authorities and the donor community require methods of locust and grasshopper control that are less insecticide-dependent and more environmentally friendly. The LUBILOSA (LUtte Blologique contre res LOcustes et les SAuteriaux) programme has identified mycoinsecticides, based on aerial conidia of fungal entomopathogens such as Metarhizium, as the most effective biological control technique discovered to date. High (>90%) insect mortalities have been demonstrated in the field following the application of oil-based formulations with ultra-low volume spraying equipment normally used for acridid control. The mechanisms of disease transmission in the field are still under investigation and the programme has helped to initiate a re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of the genus Metarhizium. Effective mycoinsecticides can be produced using relatively unsophisticated equipment although the quality of commercial products would need to be carefully controlled. Metarhizium has recently been recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for use in environmentally sensitive areas, and the programme has now entered an implementation phase.