LAUSR

Abstract Biological control with entomopathogenic fungi is a feasible option for regulation of pest insect populations. However, possible effects on beneficial arthropods must be considered. We assessed the non-target effects of the microbial biological control agent Metarhizium brunneum (isolate BIPESCO 5/F 52) applied in soil on four different predatory arthropods: the predatory mite Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini), the predatory bug Orius majusculus (Reuter), the rove beetle Dalotia coriaria (Kraatz) and the gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani. All are widespread and naturally occurring in Europe, they represent different classes of arthropods and different insect orders; furthermore, their life cycles involve different levels of contact with the soil. Adult G. aculeifer, O. majusculus, and D. coriaria, and last instar A. aphidimyza larvae were exposed to natural soil (control) or natural soil inoculated with M. brunneum at a concentration of 5 × 106 conidia/g of soil; this represents a worst-case scenario. Mortality, longevity, fecundity and Metarhizium outgrowth on dead individuals were assessed for the first three species; for A. aphidimyza, only mortality (non-emergence rate) and fecundity of emerged females were assessed. The fungal treatment resulted in a significantly higher mortality of O. majusculus and D. coriaria, 96%, and 7.3% respectively, compared with 19%, and 2% for their respective controls. Mortality of G. aculeifer was not significantly affected by exposure to the fungus in the soil. Longevity of O. majusculus and D. coriaria was significantly reduced following exposure to the fungus in the soil (log-rank test: p