October 2006. A fungus was found sporulating on beetles, Nisotra basselae, from Abelmoschus manihot in Solomon Islands. Identification was requested. The spores are generally spherical in shape, whitish at first, later turning yellow.

It may be a strain of Beauveria bassiana, but it was more likely thought to be Aspergillus. For isolation of Beauveria follow the steps provided by Theunis (1997) Techniques and media for isolation, culture, storage and bioassay of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bronniartii. PRAP leaflet no. 14. SPC. Noumea.

New techniques for multiplication of Metarhizium can be found at www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep08/fungus0908.htm. The news release reports the development fof sclerotia in culture.