pest management – Page 2

Bioprospecting of four Beauveria bassiana strains and their potential as biological control agents for Anastrepha ludens Loew 1873 (Diptera: Tephritidae)

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Researchers tested four strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana from Mexico to see if they could control the Mexican fruit fly, a major pest that damages mango and orange crops. The fungus naturally infects insects and kills them. Tests showed that all four strains were very effective at killing adult fruit flies, with the best performance at higher spore concentrations. These locally adapted fungal strains may work better than imported alternatives for farmers in the Veracruz region.

A mycovirus shaped insect-pathogenic and non-pathogenic phenotypes in a fungal biocontrol agent

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Scientists discovered that a virus living inside a beneficial fungus is responsible for the fungus’s ability to kill insect pests. When they removed the virus, the fungus completely lost its ability to penetrate and infect insects through their skin, but could still cause infection if injected directly into the insect’s body. This finding suggests that the virus controls a key enzyme needed for the fungus to break through the insect’s protective outer layer, opening new possibilities for creating more effective biological pest control agents.

Chemical clues to infection: A pilot study on the differential secondary metabolite production during the life cycle of selected Cordyceps species

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This study examined two types of parasitic fungi (Cordyceps javanica and Cordyceps blackwelliae) that infect insects, comparing how they kill their hosts and what chemical compounds they produce during infection. Researchers found that each species uses different toxic molecules to infect insects, with C. javanica being more deadly and producing diverse compounds called beauveriolides. By analyzing infected insect corpses, scientists provided the first direct evidence that these toxic compounds are actually made during real infections, not just in laboratory cultures.

UV-Induced Mutants of Metarhizium anisopliae: Improved Biological Parameters, Resistance to Stressful Factors, and Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis

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Scientists used UV light to create improved mutant strains of a fungus that naturally kills insect pests. The best mutant strain showed increased ability to survive harsh environmental conditions like heat and oxidative stress, while becoming more effective at infecting target pest insects. This improvement makes the fungus more practical for use as a natural pesticide in fields exposed to sunlight. Gene analysis revealed the mutant fungi enhanced certain protective proteins while reducing reliance on traditional antioxidant systems.

Laboratory and Field Bioassays of Arthropod Pathogenic Fungi Application for the Control of the Hazelnut Big Bud Mite, Phytoptus avellanae s. l.

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Hazelnut farming is threatened by small pests called big bud mites that damage buds and reduce crop production. This study tested two types of beneficial fungi as a natural pest control method, finding that Beauveria bassiana was very effective at killing these mites in both laboratory and field conditions. These fungal treatments could provide farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting their hazelnut crops.

Beauveria felina Accelerates Growth When Competing With Other Potential Endophytes

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Scientists studied how Beauveria felina, a fungus used to fight crop pests, grows when competing with other fungi naturally found in plants. Surprisingly, B. felina grew faster when other fungi were present, making it an even stronger candidate for pest control. However, the researchers found complex interactions between the fungi that need more study before using B. felina widely in agriculture.

Effects of Isaria cateniannulata on the colonization process and enzyme activity of Fagopyrum tataricum seeds during germination

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Researchers discovered that a special fungus called Isaria cateniannulata can successfully colonize buckwheat seeds and promote their germination. When seeds are treated with this fungus, the resulting plants produce more protective enzymes that reduce damage from oxidative stress. Additionally, plants grown from fungus-treated seeds are more resistant to spider mites, laying fewer eggs and reducing pest populations. This discovery offers a natural, biotechnology-based approach to improve seed germination and pest control in buckwheat farming.

Isolation and Characterization of a Native Metarhizium rileyi Strain Mrpgbm2408 from Paralipsa gularis in Maize: First Data on Efficacy and Enzymatic Host Response Dynamics

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Scientists in China discovered a naturally occurring fungus (Metarhizium rileyi) that effectively kills a destructive maize pest called Paralipsa gularis. When the fungus infects the pest larvae, it disrupts their natural defense enzymes and causes high mortality rates. This fungus could replace harmful chemical pesticides and provide a sustainable way to protect crops while protecting the environment.

The Last of Them: Entomopathogenic Effect of Akanthomyces muscarius on the Scale Insect Pest Toumeyella parvicornis Under Laboratory Conditions, a Potential Biological Control Candidate

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Scientists discovered that a fungus called Akanthomyces muscarius can effectively kill tortoise scale insects, an invasive pest damaging European stone pine trees. In laboratory tests, this fungus infected and killed nearly all treated insects within a week, outperforming commercial fungal products. These findings suggest this natural fungus could be used as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for controlling this destructive pest in urban and natural environments.

The Impact of Insecticides on Mycelial Growth of Metarhizium spp. and Their Efficacy in Controlling Larvae and Pupae of the House Fly (Musca domestica L.)

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This study tested fungal organisms called Metarhizium as a natural way to control house flies without relying solely on chemical insecticides. Researchers found that two fungal isolates were very effective at killing house fly larvae and pupae. Importantly, these fungi could still work well even when grown alongside certain pyrethroid insecticides, making them useful for integrated pest management approaches that combine multiple control methods.

Research Keyword: pest management