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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #425515
Research Project: Identifying Vulnerabilities in Vector-host-pathogen Interactions of Grapevine and Citrus Pathosystems to Advance Sustainable Management Strategies

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Editorial: current perspectives on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for pest control

Author
item DA COSTA ANGELO, ISABELE - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro
item Ramirez, Jose
item Perez De Leon, Adalberto
item SILVA GOLO, PATRICIA - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro

Submitted to: Frontiers in Fungal Biology
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2025
Publication Date: 5/7/2025
Citation: Da Costa Angelo, I., Ramirez, J.L., Perez De Leon, A.A., Silva Golo, P. 2025. Editorial: current perspectives on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for pest control. Frontiers in Fungal Biology. 6:1609506. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2025.1609506.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2025.1609506

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Scientific and technological advancements continue to expand the research and development of mycopesticides as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides for arthropod pest management in agricultural, veterinary, and public health settings. This research topic encompasses 4 studies that highlight novel applications of entomopathogenic fungi, from optimizing fungal formulations and expanding the diversity of applicable strains to integrating innovative techniques for disease vector and parasite control with broad agricultural and public health implications. The contributions of Wallis and Sisterson (2024), Miranda et al.. 2024), Ombura et al. (2024), and Hidalgo et al. (2025) synthesized in this editorial showcase significant progress with, and underscore key challenges on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for arthropod pest control. These studies emphasized the need for interdisciplinary research that incorporates biotechnology, microbial ecology, genetic engineering, and agronomic management to overcome the inherent challenges in the development and commercialization of mycopesticides. Studies in this research topic demonstrated the central role entomopathogenic fungi can play in sustainable pest control. Interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts among universities, research institutions, and industry are essential to develop effective formulations of entomopathogenic fungi that are used globally for safer pest control. This will fully realize the contribution of mycopesticides to food security, public health, and animal welfare.