Metarhizium pingshaense applied as a seed treatment induces fungal infection in larvae of the white grub Anomala cincta

Metarhizium pingshaense has potential as a control agent of the white grub Anomala cincta. We compared its ability to cause infection when applied as a seed treatment or directly to the compost around the plant roots. Although the greatest infection (93%) occured in the direct inoculation treatment, 50% of larvae still became infected by M. pingshaense applied as a seed treatment. The fungus persisted in the compost and also colonised the roots of the developing maize plants endophytically. More research is required but seed treatments with M. pingshaense have potential as cost-effective control options for A. cincta. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.