LUBILOSA: The Development of an Acridid-Specific Mycoinsecticide

The LUBILOSA (Lutte Biologique contre les Locustes et Sauteriaux) research program was carried out in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB) International, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and the Department for Crop Protection Training of Niger. It developed formulations of the acridid-specific entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum for application by the available ultra-low volume ground-based and aerial equipment used for acridid control. The fungus can be produced easily in commercial quantities on simple substrates. The formulations, including a proprietary oil miscible flowable concentrate for aerial application, were based on preparations of conidia, a rigorous specification for moisture content and particle size, and showed good storage stability under tropical conditions. Numerous successful field trials were carried out and although slower acting than chemical insecticides, satisfactorily high percentage mortalities were achieved. No adverse environmental impacts were detected. and mammalian safety tests indicated no safety concerns. Products using LUBILOSA technology have been used on a limited scale in Africa and Australia in recent years.