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Establishing Fungal Entomopathogens as Endophytes: Towards Endophytic Biological Control
Published on: April 11, 2013
Insect pathology and fungal endophytes
1Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Building 011A, BARC-W, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. Fernando.Vega@ars.usda.gov
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
|April 15, 2008
Summary
Fungal entomopathogens can live inside plants as endophytes, offering a new biological control strategy. Understanding their ecology could revolutionize pest management through plant inoculation.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Entomology
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Fungal endophytes reside within plant tissues without causing symptoms.
- Certain fungal entomopathogens are naturally endophytic or can be induced to become so.
- These fungi possess potential for insect pest management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the ecological role of entomopathogenic fungi as endophytes.
- To investigate the potential of endophytic entomopathogenic fungi for biological control.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on fungal endophytes and entomopathogens.
- Analysis of reported cases of entomopathogenic fungi colonizing plants.
- Discussion of potential mechanisms of action against insects.
Main Results:
- Entomopathogenic fungi can naturally occur as endophytes in plants.
- Plants can be successfully inoculated with entomopathogenic fungi to establish endophytic relationships.
- Antibiosis and feeding deterrence are proposed modes of action against insect pests.
Conclusions:
- Fungal entomopathogens acting as endophytes represent a novel avenue for biological control.
- Further research into the fungal ecology of these endophytes is crucial.
- This understanding could establish a new paradigm for using entomopathogens in integrated pest management.
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