Identify and evaluate native isolates of the host-specific fungus metarhizium acridum from grasshoppers in the southwestern united states

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded Texas A&M Agrilife Research a $149,087 Cooperative Agreement on July 1, 2026, to identify and evaluate native isolates of the host-specific fungus Metarhizium acridum from grasshoppers in the southwestern United States. The research will develop a new, environmentally safe biological control tool for sustainable grasshopper and Mormon cricket management on United States rangelands.

Performance occurs in Texas with a completion date of June 30, 2027. Texas A&M Agrilife Research is the research division of the Texas A&M University System, a state government entity and 1862 land-grant research institution. The organization receives the majority of its federal award volume from USDA agencies, including NIFA, ARS, and APHIS, which together account for 45 percent of recent awards by volume. Texas A&M Agrilife Research competes exclusively in full-and-open procurements and maintains minimal external subcontracting on federal research work, instead building delivery capacity through its own research faculty and personnel.

This research will provide a new, environmentally safe biological control tool for sustainable grasshopper and mormon cricket management on united states rangelands.