Mycoinsecticides and Mycoacaricides: A comprehensive list with worldwide coverage and international classification of formulation types

Abstract

A substantial number of mycoinsecticides and mycoacaricides have been developed worldwide since the 1960s. Here we present an updated, comprehensive list of these products. At least 12 species or subspecies (varieties) of fungi have been employed as active ingredients of mycoinsecticides and mycoacaricides for inundative and inoculative applications, although some are no longer in use. Products based on Beauveria bassiana (33.9%), Metarhizium anisopliae (33.9%), Isaria fumosorosea (5.8%), and B. brongniartii (4.1%) are the most common among the 171 products presented in this paper. Approximately 75% of all listed products are currently registered, undergoing registration or commercially available (in some cases without registration), whereas 15% are no longer available. We were unable to determine the status of the remaining 10%. Insects in the orders Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Thysanoptera, and Orthoptera comprise most of the targets, distributed among at least 48 families. A total of 28 products are claimed to control acarines (mites and ticks) in at least 4 families, although only three products (all based on Hirsutella thompsonii) were exclusively developed as acaricides. Eleven different technical grade active ingredients or formulation types have been identified, with technical concentrates (fungus-colonized substrates) (26.3%), wettable powders (20.5%) and oil dispersions (15.2%) being most common. Approximately 43% of all products were developed by South American companies and institutions. Currently, what may be the largest single microbial control program using fungi involves the use of M. anisopliae for control of spittlebugs (Cercopidae) in South American sugarcane and pastures.