The entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were selected for their potential to control the subterranean termite Reticulitermes santonensis. The research work aims to increase the mortality of termites by improving the contamination process inside a termite colony. The transfer of fungal spores from contaminated termites to a whole colony of termites was thus studied. In a first step, termite workers were contaminated by spores. Then they were introduced in a population of healthy workers at 10%, 25% and 50%. The tests showed that 25% and 50% of initially contaminated termites was sufficient to spread the spores among the healthy termites. The total mortality reached 100% within a few weeks. Experiments were carried out using the two entomopathogenic fungi and different methods of contamination. Results are discussed taking into account the possible development of a bait in the future.

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