Identification and characterization of Metarhizium majus isolated from the edible insect Protaetia brevitarsis in Korea. Issue 12 (10th November 2021) - Kwak, Kyu‐Won
Abstract: Edible insects are considered novel protein sources, and the edible insect breeding industry is growing rapidly. However, fungal pathogens are a major threat to this industry, and appropriate identification of causative agents is important for the development of antifungal agents. In 2019, strains of the fungal pathogen Metarhizium were isolated from infected second and third instar larvae of the economically important edible insect Protaetia brevitarsis, which were collected from separate farms in Gimhae‐si, Gyeongsangnam‐do, Korea. Based on morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, and 5′‐region of gene encoding the 1‐α elongation factor, the fungal strains were identified as Metarhizium majus . Here, we report the detailed phylogenetic characteristics and morphological description of this species, which is prevalent in Korea. Identification of the principal disease‐causing agent can help develop disease prevention and antifungal strategies for application in edible insect‐rearing farms.