Laboratory and field investigation of a mixture of Metarhizium acridum and Neem seed oil against the Tree Locust Anacridium melanorhodon melanorhodon (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The in vitro compatibility of Metarhizium acridum strain IMI 330189 with different concentrations of Neem seed oil Azadirachta indica A. Juss. was investigated under laboratory conditions. Water, diesel and ground nut oil dilutions of M. acridum were inoculated into semi-synthetic culture medium with Neem oil and incubated for 10 days at 20, 28, and 34°C. Fungus vegetative growth and conidia production were estimated and compatibility calculated according to the in vitro classification model T]. Field tests were also conducted during two successive years, where fourth instar nymphs of the Tree Locust, Anacridium melanorhodon melanorhodon, were sprayed with Metarhizium, Metarhizium/Neem mixture, Neem, or Malathion, on a plantation of Acacia senegal. Samples of the treated nymphs were taken 24 h after application, placed in cages and their mortality observed daily for 3 weeks. The compatibility test revealed that at 28°C, all Neem concentrations below 2% were compatible with M. acridum and concentrations of 2 and 2.5% were moderately toxic, while at 20°C, 1.0% Neem was not compatible with the fungus. In the field, Metarhizium+Neem resulted in 74 and 92% mortality during two successive years compared to 64 and 83% for Metarhizium alone. These findings clearly reveal that Neem concentration on the mixture could be increased to just under 1.0% Neem without negative impact on the fungus and that mixing Metarhizium with small quantities of Neem oil accelerates locust mortality and increases efficacy.