therapeutic action: biological pest control

Toxicity Assay and Pathogenic Process Analysis of Clonostachys rogersoniana Infecting Cephalcia chuxiongica

Scientists discovered a fungus called Clonostachys rogersoniana that can kill a major pine forest pest. The fungus enters the pest through small breathing holes called spiracles, which is unusual compared to most fungal infections. Testing showed the fungus kills half the pest population in about 24 hours at relatively low concentrations. This discovery could help protect Chinese pine forests without using harmful chemical pesticides.

Read More »

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.)

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.

Read More »

Volatile Semiochemicals Emitted by Beauveria bassiana Modulate Larval Feeding Behavior and Food Choice Preference in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Researchers discovered that a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana produces odorous chemicals that can discourage pest insects from eating crops. When certain strains of this fungus release their characteristic smell (particularly a compound called 3-methylbutanol), larvae of the fall armyworm pest eat less and avoid treated plants. Interestingly, the plants themselves respond by producing defensive compounds when exposed to these fungal odors. This finding suggests a new approach to pest control that harnesses the natural chemical communication between fungi, plants, and insects.

Read More »

Development of Biphasic Culture System for an Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana PfBb Strain and Its Virulence on a Defoliating Moth Phauda flammans (Walker)

Researchers developed an efficient two-stage fermentation process to mass-produce Beauveria bassiana PfBb, a fungus that kills defoliating moths damaging Ficus trees. The first stage grows the fungus in liquid to produce active spores, which are then transferred to solid substrates to produce hardy, long-lasting conidia. The optimized process produces high quantities of effective fungal spores that can be stored at refrigerator temperature for over a year while maintaining their pest-killing ability.

Read More »
Scroll to Top