Metarhizium flavoviride

Historically, less than 10 species in the Metarhizium genus were distinguished from each other by morphological traits such as differences in conidial shape, colour, and conidiogenous cells. M. flavoviride was one of these, with conidia (spores) ranging in colour from vibrant green to light grey-green. Conidiogenous cells are 7–11 μm long and clavate, broadly ellipsoid, or ovoid. Conidia are relatively slow to develop. These taxonomic morphological differences were later substantiated by allozyme analyses. However, recent studies indicate that using morphological characteristics is not an accurate method to distinguish between different Metarhizium species and their respective varieties, and instead, molecular and genetic techniques should be used.

Metarhizium species and M. flavoviride have been isolated from multiple soil types from all types of climates across all continents (excluding Antarctica) and have been found to infect many different arthropods. M. flavoviride has been found in a wide range of soils, particularly in agricultural habitats; they are often found in soils associated with roots of plants where host pests feed on. Some data have supported the finding that undisturbed habitats with naturally occurring vegetation are more likely to support entomopathogenic fungi such as M. flavoviride. It is of interest to continue research regarding the abundance and occurrence of M. flavoviride as it concerns using entomopathogenic fungi as a form of biological control. In the Shaanxi province in China, it was found that the richness of Metarhizium species decreased with increasing elevation.