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Identifying T.cylindrosporum in Australia

There are several species of fungi that can infect and kill insects, A Review of Sheep Blowfly Pathogen Control (ON-00620) identified one species, Tolypocladium cylindrosporum as capable of killing the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. It acts by killing larvae and pupa in the soil and hence it could have the potential to be developed as a novel biocontrol agent to combat flystrike.

This project genetically screened samples of fresh soil from several sheep properties in Victoria and Tasmania, using DNA isolation and sequencing to confirm if T. cylindrosporum is present in Australian sheep producing areas. Whilst it was not identified on those properties, the researchers did not rule out the presence of the fungus in Australia.

Project date

10 Dec 2019-30 Jun 2020

Principal investigator

Dr Trent Perry

Research organisations

The University of Melbourne

Project funded by

Multiple industries
Sheep & lamb Wool

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Australian Wool Innovation is a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian …

Multiple industries
Sheep & lamb Wool
  • Location

    Australia

  • Organisation type

    Research funding body

Logo for Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Focus areas

Industries

Sustainabilities

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