The effects of fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in free-living stages of nematodes (Strongylidae: Cyathostominae) were evaluate as a potencial aid to reduce the number of larvae in culture of horse feces. Metarhizium anisopliae cultured in rice, contained 1,3 X 10(8) conidia per gram, were added to culture of feces containing nematode eggs, in two treatment groups with different concentrations (l,3X10(8) e 1,3X10(6) conidia per gram of feces). The cultures were maintained at temperature of ± 30°C and 90% of relative umidity. After fiftheen days the cultured larvae were recovered, counted and identified. In the treated groups it was observed a reduction of the larval number, when compared with the control group. The reduction of 55.4 to 85.1% demonstrated a possibility of the use of this fungus as an alternativo control method for nematodes.
biological control; Cyathostominae; equines; Metarhizium anisopliae
