In vitro pathogenicity of different Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. isolates in oil formulations against Rhipicephalus microplus

The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro pathogenicity of the Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. CG 112, CG 347, CG 32, CG 148 and CG 629 isolates formulated in vegetable or mineral oil against Rhipicephalus microplus. The bioassays were performed with R. microplus engorged females. The ticks were immersed for three minutes in oil-based formulations containing 10% oil (mineral or vegetable). The effects of the different fungal isolates were evaluated analyzing the females' reproductive parameters (the total weight of the egg mass, hatching percentage, egg production index and nutritional index). The present study showed that all of the tested isolates and both oil formulations (vegetable or mineral oil) changed the biological parameters of the R. microplus females. However, the mineral oil formulation was more effective than the vegetable oil formulation, as the former showed a higher tick control percentage. It was concluded that there was variation in the virulence among the different M. anisopliae s.l. isolates and between the different types of oil. Moreover, that either of the isolates GC 148 and GC 629 formulated in oil confers the good potential for controlling R. microplus engorged females.