Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi are myco-biocontrol, potentially the most versatile biological control agents with a wide host range and are an environmentally sound and effective means of reducing insect-pests. The use of microbial control agents particularly entomopathogenic fungi, have been investigated for the control of a wide range of orchard and field crop pests and are a widespread component of most terrestrial ecosystems. Entomopathogenic fungi are a major component of integrated pest management techniques as biological control agents against insect pests and other arthropods in horticulture, forestry and agriculture and are found in the divisions of Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Deuteromycota, Chytridiomycota and Oomycota, which were previously classified within fungi. Insect control using entomopathogenic fungi is achieved when sufficient infective propagules, conidia contact a susceptible host and conditions are suitable for a lethal mycosis to develop. A wide range of fungi occur in the soil environment and they have various ecological functions. Most of these fungi, along with a range of bacteria, can grow on artificial media in vitro . Several methods have been used to describe the variation within a species of entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi including morphological characteristics of spores and colonies, extracellular protein profiles, pathogenecity, growth and nutrient requirements. Furthermore, immune taxonomic and chemotaxonomic methods have been used, though only with limited success. Taxonomic procedures are becoming more and more complex and it is generally accepted that some forms of molecular identification techniques are needed in addition to the traditional morphological characteristics formally used to classify fungal species. During the last four decades, over 80 companies worldwide have developed 171 mycoinsecticides and myco-acaricides. Use of mycoinsecticdes is likely to rise if research is focus on; improving its performance under challenging environmental conditions, formulations that will increase persistence, longer shelf life, ease of application, pathogen virulence and wider spectrum of action. Keywords: Eco-friendliness, fungi , insect pest , myco-acaricides, mycoinsecticdes DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-3-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2020
Highlights
The various risk associated with the continuous use of chemical insecticides mainly development of resistance, resurgence in insects, accumulation of pesticide residues in food chain, environmental pollution, health risks have led to development of alternative strategies of pest management
Since the establishment of the fact that fungi pathogenic to insects can be key components in the fight against insect pests in agriculture, several large scale researches have been undertaken by governments, institutions, organizations and individuals to explore their potentials
More fungi, which are pathogenic to insects are still being discovered, a situation which presents brighter future for the use of entomopathogenic fungi in insect pest management
Summary
The various risk associated with the continuous use of chemical insecticides mainly development of resistance, resurgence in insects, accumulation of pesticide residues in food chain, environmental pollution, health risks have led to development of alternative strategies of pest management. Spores of the hypocrealean fungi Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. tend to be dispersed passively, via wind currents or rain splash, transmission can occur when susceptible insects contact infected individuals, or conidia can be distributed on the bodies of other arthropods (Vega et al, 2007). Both hypocrealean and entomphthoralean fungi can survive repeated intervals of low humidity, recommencing development (infection) when favorable conditions return. In Nigeria, for example, several synthetic pesticides have been registered for production and use but not a single mycoinsecticide has been registered for use
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