Chapter 11 - Mass production of entomopathogenic fungi—state of the art

Abstract

In the last several decades the development and use of entomopathogenic fungi has undergone substantial, significant increase. Fungi, in particular, are now available as mycoinsecticides in many countries. Critical to their implementation as tools to manage pest insects is efficient, economic mass production. This chapter reviews the “state of the art” as expressed in the published literature, in particular advances that have occurred since the publication of the first addition of this book. In addition to further refinements of solid substrate fermentation technology, there have been substantial advances in submerged liquid fermentation technology, particularly for one genus, Beauveria, as well as recent developments in production of microsclerotial bodies by several genera. This chapter attempts to summarize the “state of the art,” fungus genus by genus, in the hopes of inspiring further advances.