Metarhizium species (Metschnikoff) Sorokin, also known as green muscardine fungi, have long been recognized for their biological control potential against arthropods. The species level name of one of the more widely researched Metarhizium species (M. anisopliae) was derived from this beetle. Morphological features for identifying Metarhizium species can be imprecise as there can often be overlap of characters among species. Molecular techniques have shown that what used to be called M. anisopliae represents a complex of nine species.