Research Keyword: Mycopesticides

Effect of Rare, Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Survival of Bactrocera oleae Pupae in Laboratory Soil Conditions

Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi that infect insects to see if they could control the olive fruit fly, a major pest in Greece that damages olive crops. Using fungi from local Greek soil samples, they exposed young olive fruit flies to different fungal treatments both in soil and without soil. Some fungi, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus keveii, were highly effective at killing the flies and preventing them from reproducing normally. These results suggest that using these naturally occurring fungi could be a safer alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting olive groves.

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A mycovirus enhances fitness of an insect pathogenic fungus and potentially modulates virulence through interactions between viral and host proteins

Scientists discovered a virus that infects Beauveria bassiana, a fungus used to control pests naturally. This virus actually helps the fungus by making it produce more spores, survive harsh conditions like sunlight and heat, and kill target insects faster. The virus does this by interacting with specific fungal proteins that control reproduction, stress response, and virulence. This discovery could lead to better biological pest control products that are more effective and reliable than current options.

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Advances in submerged liquid fermentation and formulation of entomopathogenic fungi

This paper reviews how scientists are improving the production of natural fungal pesticides that kill insect pests. Instead of growing fungi on grains in bags, researchers are using large fermentation tanks similar to those used in food and beverage production. These tanks can produce beneficial fungal cells more quickly and efficiently, with better quality control and safety. The paper discusses different types of fungal cells produced, how to make them stable for storage and field use, and how this technology could replace older production methods worldwide.

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