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Prospects for Biological Control of the Red Locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

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Abstract

Prospects for the biological control of locusts and grasshoppers have become much brighter during the last ten years thanks to a number of international research projects. This paper examines a number of options, including one that is ready for immediate implementation: the mycoinsecticide, Green Muscle®, based on the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (flavoviride) var. acridum. It has been registered in South Africa and other African countries are likely to follow during 1999. Trial results on grasshoppers and several locust species have been very encouraging, and preliminary tests on red locusts show potential as well. Recent research on pheromones also points to some interesting possibilities, both when used alone and in combination with a mycoinsecticide. Finally, microsporidian protozoans and rhabditid nematodes show some promise for long-term suppression of red locust populations, but more research and development is needed to demonstrate their potential.

Résumé

Les perspectives de lutte biologique contre les criquets et les sauterelles sont devenues plus évidentes au cours des dix années passées grâce à l’existence d’une série de projets internationaux de recherche. Cet article examine un certain nombre d’options de lutte dont l’une s’apprête déjà à l’utilisation. Il s’agit de l’emploi du Green Muscle®, un myco-insecticide à base du champignon Metarhizium anisopliae (flavoviridae) var. acridum. Le produit a été enregistré en Afrique du Sud et d’autres pays africains vont probablement suivre en 1999. Les essais du produit sur les espèces de criquets et plusieurs sauterelles ont donné des résultats très encourageants. De même, les essais préliminaires sur le criquet rouge ont été prometteurs. Des recherches récentes sur les phéromones font état des possibilités d’utilisation de ceux-ci soit isolément ou en combinaison avec un mycoinsecticide. Enfin, les protozoaires microsporidies et les nématodes rhabditides ont montré quelques potentialités dans la suppression à long terme, des populations du criquet rouge. Cependant une recherche et développement plus poussés restent nécessaires pour mettre ces potentialités en évidence.

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  1. CAB International, Africa Regional Centre, P.O. Box 633, Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya

    Christiaan Kooyman

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  1. Christiaan Kooyman
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Kooyman, C. Prospects for Biological Control of the Red Locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 19, 313–322 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400018944

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