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

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