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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sugarbeet and Potato Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #90462
Title: BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF A SERIOUS INSECT PEST OF SUGARBEET PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS

Author
item Smith, Garry

Submitted to: Sugar Journal
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Our extensive laboratory research and our limited field tests suggest that M. anisopliae may be effective in controlling the sugarbeet root maggot. Questions needing further research include application rates, timing of treatments, location effects, and application methods. We are continuing our field test in a sugarbeet/cereal rotation and have added additional locations for our 1998 field evaluations.

Technical Abstract: Our previous, extensive laboratory studies have shown the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fugi Metharhizium anisopliae on first and third instar sugarbeet root maggot (SBRM). Mortality at the most damaging 3rd instar stage was over 90% fourteen days after exposure. The fungi are also effective against adult flies. Six days after ioculation, mortality rates were 100% for M. Anisopliae treated adult flies.