11.6.1 Mode of Action of Fungi-Based Biopesticides
Fungi act by penetration of the mycelium into the cuticle of the insects into the
hemocoel causing the death of the attacked individuals.
• The fungal spore called conidia get adhere to the host cuticle by hydrophobic
attachment.
• Spore germination will take place through the filamentous growth of conidia
called germ tube or by appressorium.
• It penetrates the cuticle through hydrolytic enzymes produced by them. Also,
organic acids, secondary metabolites, toxins and detoxifying antimicrobial
compounds are secreted by fungi.
• Fungal spores penetrates from the cuticle of the insects into the hemocoel leads to
the death of insects.
• Further, the internal mycelium grows outward sporulate and emerges on the outer
surfaces of cadavers of insects (Pedrini et al. 2007; Gabarty et al. 2014)
(Fig. 11.3).
11.6.2 Advantages of Fungi-Based Biopesticides
• Wide host range: As compared to bacteria and viruses, fungi have a wide host
range and can infect field, stored and soil pests.
• Ease of production: Commercially important fungi such as Beauveria,
Metarhizium, Lecanicillium and Isaria are relatively easy to mass produce with
low substrate requirements.
• Effective and highly specific.
• Eco-friendly.
Table 11.4 List of commercially available fungi-based biopesticides
Fungi
Host range
Products
Beauveria
Bassiana
Effective against a variety of insects
such as rickets, white grubs, fire ants,
flea beetles, plant bugs, grasshoppers,
thrips, mites, mosquito larvae and
aphids, fungus gnats, whiteflies and to
stored pest
BotaniGard, Mycotrol, Naturalis,
Racer BB, Ostrinil, Brocari l,
Mycotrol, Mycotrol-0 BotaniGard,
Boverin, Naturalis-L, NaturalisH&G Naturalis-T&O
Metarhizium
anisopliae
Effective against a wide range of pests.
Black vine weevil, locusts and
grasshoppers
Bio-Blast, Bio-Path, Green Muscle,
Met52 Metaquino Pacer MA TickEx
Trichoderma
viride
Effective against Rot disease
EcosomTV, Tricon, Trieco
Trichoderma
harzianum
Effective against a variety of soil
pathogens
Rootshield, BioTrek, Supresivit
Source: Usta (2013)
248
M. Rajamani and A. Negi
Fungi act by penetration of the mycelium into the cuticle of the insects into the
hemocoel causing the death of the attacked individuals.
• The fungal spore called conidia get adhere to the host cuticle by hydrophobic
attachment.
• Spore germination will take place through the filamentous growth of conidia
called germ tube or by appressorium.
• It penetrates the cuticle through hydrolytic enzymes produced by them. Also,
organic acids, secondary metabolites, toxins and detoxifying antimicrobial
compounds are secreted by fungi.
• Fungal spores penetrates from the cuticle of the insects into the hemocoel leads to
the death of insects.
• Further, the internal mycelium grows outward sporulate and emerges on the outer
surfaces of cadavers of insects (Pedrini et al. 2007; Gabarty et al. 2014)
(Fig. 11.3).
11.6.2 Advantages of Fungi-Based Biopesticides
• Wide host range: As compared to bacteria and viruses, fungi have a wide host
range and can infect field, stored and soil pests.
• Ease of production: Commercially important fungi such as Beauveria,
Metarhizium, Lecanicillium and Isaria are relatively easy to mass produce with
low substrate requirements.
• Effective and highly specific.
• Eco-friendly.
Table 11.4 List of commercially available fungi-based biopesticides
Fungi
Host range
Products
Beauveria
Bassiana
Effective against a variety of insects
such as rickets, white grubs, fire ants,
flea beetles, plant bugs, grasshoppers,
thrips, mites, mosquito larvae and
aphids, fungus gnats, whiteflies and to
stored pest
BotaniGard, Mycotrol, Naturalis,
Racer BB, Ostrinil, Brocari l,
Mycotrol, Mycotrol-0 BotaniGard,
Boverin, Naturalis-L, NaturalisH&G Naturalis-T&O
Metarhizium
anisopliae
Effective against a wide range of pests.
Black vine weevil, locusts and
grasshoppers
Bio-Blast, Bio-Path, Green Muscle,
Met52 Metaquino Pacer MA TickEx
Trichoderma
viride
Effective against Rot disease
EcosomTV, Tricon, Trieco
Trichoderma
harzianum
Effective against a variety of soil
pathogens
Rootshield, BioTrek, Supresivit
Source: Usta (2013)
248
M. Rajamani and A. Negi