title: Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycetes) to Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae).
abstract: The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is highly pathogenic to the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Spore concentrations of 10(8)/ml for engorged larvae and 10(7)/ml for engorged females resulted in 100% tick mortality, 2 wk postinfection. The LC50 value for engorged larvae (concentration to kill 50% of ticks) was 10(7) spores/ml. Metarhizium anisopliae shows considerable potential as a microbial control agent for the management of Ixodes scapularis.
authors.affiliation: Plant Sciences Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zhioua
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ginsberg
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: LeBrun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000472:pathogenicity