ARS | Publication request: Worldwide use of mycoinsecticides

Submitted to: Biological Control Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 28, 2007
Publication Date: July 2, 2007
Citation: De Faria, M.R., Wraight, S.P. 2007. Worldwide use of mycoinsecticides. Biological Control Symposium Proceedings. p. 7.

Technical Abstract: A considerable number of mycoinsecticides and mycoacaricides have been developed worldwide over the past 50 years. At least 12 species or subspecies of fungi have been used as active ingredients in these products for inundative or inoculative biological control. Beauveria bassiana (34%), Metarhizium anisopliae (34%), Isaria fumosorosea (6%), and Beauveria brongniartii (4%) are the most common fungi comprising the 170 products identified in this review. This number does not include fungal preparations distributed free of charge, produced locally for private use, or subsidized by non-profit organizations. Technical products (e.g., Troy Boverin, Technical Laginex, and PFR-97 MUP), produced solely for production of end-user products are also excluded. Approximately 75% of these 170 products are currently registered, in the process of being registered, or commercially available without registration; ca. 15% are no longer marketed or registered; and the commercial status of 10% of the products could not be determined. The targeted insects are distributed in at least 48 families, primarily in the orders Hemiptera (suborders Heteroptera, Auchenorrhyncha, and Sternorrhyncha), Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Thysanoptera, and Orthoptera. Twenty-eight products have been commercialized for control of acarines; however, only three products (all based on Hirsutella thomsonii) have been developed exclusively as acaricides. A total of 11 types of technical products and formulations were identified, with technical concentrates (fungus-colonized substrates) (27%), wettable powders (21%), and oil dispersions (15%) being most common. Approximately 42% of all products were developed and marketed by companies and institutions in South America.