Senior scientist Dave Chandler at the Applied Crop Research Centre, Warwick University, Wellesbourne, UK, has suceeded to isolate and germinate the spores of the naturally occurring fungus Furia sciarae and to grow the mycelium in laboratory conditions. The fungus attacks sciarid flies being most effective against the eggs and young larveae, eliminating the subsequent emergence of adults. Sciarid flie larvae feed off the roots and plants particularly susceptible include: Begonia, Cyclamen, Poisettia, Primula and aromatic herbs: Menta, Allium and Petroselinum. It is now possible to produce spores of Furia sciarae in the laboratory. The dead larvae decompose in the substrate or are eaten by larvae therby becoming infected. It appears that the Furia sciarae is able to survive fungcide programes commonly used to control plant diseases. Further research is required to understand how the fungus survive between crops and over the winter period. The result of the research is to develop the fungus as a biopesticide. “Commercial Greenhouse Grower” and further web research. The ACRC has also developed the use of the fungus Metarhizum anisopliae to control adult larvae of the vine weavil Otiorhynchus sulcatus. Further information: Fax: 0044 2476 574500, E-mail: Dave.Chandler@warwick.ac.uk, http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/wcc
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