Metarhizium anisopliae

Integration of Physiological, Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Reveals Molecular Mechanism of Paraisaria dubia Response to Zn2+ Stress

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This research shows that a fungus called Paraisaria dubia can effectively clean up zinc pollution by removing 60% of zinc from contaminated environments. The fungus uses multiple survival strategies when exposed to zinc stress, including producing more protective slime-like substances on its surface and generating spores that are more resistant to harmful conditions. By studying the fungus at the molecular level, scientists discovered which genes and chemical compounds activate these protective responses, paving the way for using fungi as natural cleaners for heavy metal-contaminated soil and water.

Characterization and Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) Isolates from Ecologically Distinct Soils Against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

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This study identified five native fungal strains (Metarhizium anisopliae) from Taiwanese soils that can kill the tobacco caterpillar pest (Spodoptera litura). The most effective strain, PT-01, showed strong ability to infect and kill caterpillar larvae, particularly at early life stages. The research demonstrates that these fungi could be developed into environmentally-friendly pest control alternatives to chemical pesticides, protecting crops while maintaining ecosystem health.

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

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Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi found in Greek olive groves to see if they could kill olive fruit flies, which damage about 30% of olive crops. They applied the fungi to fly pupae in soil and without soil, then tracked how many flies died and how much fungal growth appeared. Several fungi types, especially Aspergillus flavus and A. keveii, were very effective at killing the flies and could potentially replace harmful chemical pesticides used in olive farming.

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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Researchers tested special fungi (Metarhizium spp.) as a natural way to control house flies, which spread diseases and are becoming resistant to common pesticides. They found that two fungal strains were very effective at killing fly larvae and pupae, and these fungi could still grow well when combined with certain insecticides. This means farmers and pest control professionals could use these fungi together with specific pesticides as part of a more sustainable approach to controlling house flies without relying solely on chemicals.

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

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This study tested different types of beneficial fungi to control olive fruit flies, which are major pests in Mediterranean olive groves. Researchers found that several fungi species, particularly those from the Aspergillus genus, can effectively kill olive fly pupae when applied to soil. The results suggest these fungi could be developed into biological pesticides to protect olive crops without harmful chemical insecticides.

Beauveria bassiana associated with a novel biomimetic hydrogel to control Aedes albopictus through lure and kill ovitraps

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Researchers developed a new gel-based trap that combines a natural fungus (Beauveria bassiana) with specially designed hydrogels to control Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), which spread dangerous diseases like Zika and dengue. The gel traps work by both mechanically trapping mosquito eggs and infecting them with the fungus, achieving over 90% effectiveness. This approach offers a chemical-free alternative to traditional insecticides and could be more cost-effective than current methods.

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

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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.

Evaluating Beauveria bassiana Strains for Insect Pest Control and Endophytic Colonization in Wheat

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Scientists tested three strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana to control crop-damaging insects and promote wheat growth. The best-performing strain, CBM1, successfully killed multiple types of pest insects and colonized wheat plants when applied to the soil. Wheat plants colonized with this fungus grew taller with longer roots and showed significantly better protection against fall armyworms, suggesting this fungus could be a valuable tool for sustainable, pesticide-free crop protection.

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.

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

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Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi as natural pest control for the olive fruit fly, a major pest that damages olive crops in Greece. They found that several fungal species, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus contaminans, were highly effective at killing fly pupae in soil conditions. These fungi could offer farmers an eco-friendly alternative to toxic chemical pesticides, helping improve olive oil quality while protecting beneficial insects.

Fungal Species: Metarhizium anisopliae