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Distribution of insect pathogenic soil fungi in Switzerland with special reference to Beauveria brongniartii and Metharhizium anisopliae

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Abstract

Between 1998 and 2000 soil samples from 82fields in north, east, central and south westof Switzerland were analysed for presence ofinsect pathogenic soil fungi using a selectivemedium and the Galleria bait method. Thedetection rates with either method were verysimilar. 96% of the fields distributed overall examined regions contained Metarhiziumanisopliae. The presence of Beauveriabrongniartii was limited to sites colonised byits host, Melolontha melolontha. It wasalso present at a site where M.melolontha disappeared about 40 years ago. Onthe other hand, B. brongniartii was notfound in four fields containing M.melolontha populations. Beauveriabassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and Conidiobolus sp. were other entomopathogenicfungi isolated during this survey. Differencesin the presence of M. anisopliae betweenarable fields and adjacent meadows as well asbetween orchards and meadows are discussed.

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Keller, S., Kessler, P. & Schweizer, C. Distribution of insect pathogenic soil fungi in Switzerland with special reference to Beauveria brongniartii and Metharhizium anisopliae . BioControl 48, 307–319 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023646207455

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023646207455

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