Interactions between Entomopathogenic Fungi and Insects and Prospects with Glycans

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Microbiology
• Ecology

Background:

• Synthetic insecticides pose ecological and health risks, driving demand for sustainable alternatives.
• Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are explored as viable biocontrol agents.
• Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are prominent EPF with significant biocontrol potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of EPF, specifically B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, as alternatives to chemical insecticides.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of EPF action against insects, including cuticle penetration and host mortality.
• To summarize EPF interactions with insect microbiomes and immune responses, including recent findings on N-glycans.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of global biopesticide applications.
• Analysis of EPF-insect interaction mechanisms.
• Synthesis of research on EPF and insect immunity, including N-glycan roles.

Main Results:

• B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are utilized globally as biopesticides.
• EPF infect insects by penetrating the cuticle, leading to host death.
• EPF modulate insect microbiomes and enhance immune responses, with N-glycans potentially playing a key role.

Conclusions:

• EPF, particularly B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, represent promising alternatives to synthetic insecticides.
• Understanding EPF-insect interactions, including immune system modulation, is crucial for effective biocontrol.
• Emerging research on N-glycans offers new insights into fungal-entomological interactions and insect immunity.