Submitted to: Proceedings of the Congress of the Entomological Society Of Southern Africa
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2003
Publication Date: June 10, 2003
Citation: Humber, R.A. 2003. Entomopathogenic fungi: potential and pitfalls for practical biocontrol. Proceedings of the Congress of the Entomological Society Of Southern Africa. p. 4.
Technical Abstract:
Fungal entomopathogens can be effective agents for the biological control of insect pests. However, it can be a lengthy and difficult process to move from this basic concept to the adoption of an applied program for practical field use of a fungal biocontrol agent. This workshop will present an overview of some major issues that affect initiation and conduct of developmental research on fungal pathogens for insect biocontrol, as well as issues dealing with the production, formulation, and aplication of such fungi, and even some of the larger legal considerations. A series of contributed presentations dealing with pertinent topics will be embedded into this workshop to provide practical illustrations of some of the principles that will be discussed in broader terms. Topics to be covered will include, among others, a review and discussion of general issues about isolating, maintaining, and preserving entomopathogenic fungi; how fungal entomopathogens operate against their hosts; some of the abiotic factors affecting the operation of fungi against insects; the types of fungi that might be reasonable candidates for insect biocontrol; target host specificities and non-target safety concerns; concerns about the production, formulation and application of fungi; inoculative versus inundative strategies for field use of pathogens; regulatory and international treaty concerns about selecting and using fungal biocontrol agesnt; and a few worlds about the successes and failures in various countries of fungal biocontrol against insect pests.
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