Dataset First steps towards biological control of the pear gall midge (Contarinia pyrivora) with the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum

The dataset relates to "First steps towards biological control of the pear gall midge (Contarinia pyrivora) with the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum". ( Bernhardt M. Steinwender, Lene Sigsgaard , Stine K. Jacobsen, Jørgen Eilenberg Gall midges are important pests in many crops. In fruit, they are difficult to control due to their life cycle which takes place partially within the fruit. Here, we provide the first successful laboratory experiment to infect pear gall midge (Contarinia pyrivora) with the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum. We developed a bioassay procedure that demonstrates dipping larvae in a fungus suspension or adding a fungus suspension to the soil results in significant fungus induced mortality of the pear gall midge. An immune response in treated larvae was recorded. Cryptic is typically a specific camouflage phenomena