Enzymatic activity and virulence of Cordyceps locustiphila (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) on the South American locust Schistocerca cancellata (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The first barrier, when penetrating an insect host, encountered by microorganisms like fungi is insects cuticle; produce a wide variety of extracellular enzymes involved in the degradation protein, chitin, and lipids. main objectives were to assay enzymatic activity Cordyceps locustiphila anamorph, solid liquid medium at different temperatures also evaluate pathogenicity against South American locust, Schistocerca cancellata. Conidia C. anamorph adjusted 1 × 104, 106 108 conidia/ml mortality was recorded for S. cancellata nymphs. activities determined through plate test medium. When assessing pathogenicity, fungus caused highest (84.5 ± 3.5%) dose conidia/ml. proteolytic showed values (1.56 0.21) (U) 26 °C. lipolytic (1.13 0.36) observed °C, while chitinolytic 0.85 0.1 4 Significant differences production on medium, (1.63 0.04) lowest caseinolytic (0.04 0.001) (U). results obtained as well quality produced suggest that this has features make it good candidate be used biological agent control locust.