ARS | Publication request: USE OF MICROORGANISMS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECTS (IN SPANISH)

Submitted to: Revista Latino Americana de Microbiologa
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2002
Publication Date: April 1, 2002
Citation: TAMEZ-GUERRA, P., MCGUIRE, M.R., BECNEL, J.J., BEHLE, R.W., VANDENBERG, J.D. USE OF MICROORGANISMS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECTS (IN SPANISH). REVISTA LATINO AMERICANA DE MICROBIOLOGA. 2002. v. 44. p. 70.

Technical Abstract: There is growing interest in the use of biological products to replace chemicals as insecticides. The bioinsecticide industry includes entomopathogenic microbes as well as insecticides derived from plants and transgenic plants. In this symposium we will review the types of entomopathogenic microbes. A typical entomopathogen will invade the host insect and multiply until the insect dies. At present, there are relatively few examples of commercialized microbes for insect control. These include the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, a few species of fungi, and baculoviruses. Many factors determine the successful use of these pathogens and research is needed to elucidate components of their biology and survival outside of the host. A key barrier to development of these pathogens as insecticides is the need for research on their culturivation and production. Reduction of the costs associated with production will help ensure more widespread use.