Metarhizium majus
Introduction '''''Metarhizium majus''''' is the name given to a group of fungal isolates that are known to be virulent against Scarabaeidae, a family of beetles. Previously, this species has had variety status in ''Metarhizium anisopliae'' (var. ''majus'') and its name is derived from characteristically very large spores (typically 2.5–4 µm x 10–14 µm long) for the genus ''Metarhizium''. There has been considerable interest in developing isolates of this species into mycoinsecticides: especially against the coconut and oil palm beetle pest ''Oryctes'' in SE Asia, the Pacific region and Africa.Metarhizium majus.jpg|''Metarhizium majus'' infected ''Oryctes rhinoceros'' larva with hyphal (whitish colour) and conidia sporulation/geminating (greenish colour) from its cuticle.M. majus infection stages on Oryctes rhinoceros grubs in field condition.jpg|Stages of ''Oryctes rhinoceros'' larva infected with ''M. majus''. From left to right, 1st column: Infection symptom with "black dotes" or necrotic spots on integument; 2nd: Mummified; Mycelium (whitish colour) grow on integument; 3rd: Conidia (greenish colour) grow on integument; 4th: Decomposed grubs.It is an anamorph, its telomorphic form is ''Cordyceps brittlebankisoides''.
Important isolates * The epitype is isolate ARSEF 1914: derived from a dried US National Fungus Collection culture (BPI 878297)1.
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