Fungal Parasites of Insects & Nematodes

Flashcards covering key concepts from 'Fungal Parasites of Insects & Nematodes' chapter.

What are insect-pathogenic fungi?

Fungi that are specifically adapted to parasitize insects and depend on them for survival.

What is Beauveria bassiana known for?

It produces beauvericin toxin that invades insect tissues extensively before they die.

What antibiotic is produced by Beauveria spp. after the host insect's death?

Oosporein.

How is Metarhizium anisopliae harmful to insects?

It produces destruxins toxin that, when injected into insects, leads to quick death before extensive tissue invasion.

What does Lecanicillium lecanii commonly infect?

Scale insects, particularly in subtropical and tropical environments.

What are the commercial applications of Beauveria bassiana?

It is produced for treatment of wide areas of forest and agricultural land in countries like China.

What is LUBILOSA?

A biocontrol agent developed in France for controlling locusts and grasshoppers.

What is the significance of Lecanicillium lecanii in commercial biocontrol?

It was developed in the 1970s and is effective against pests like aphids and whiteflies in glasshouses.

Name the two commercial products marketed by Koppert BV containing Lecanicillium lecanii.

Mycotal® and Vertalec®.

What role does Beauveria bassiana play in maize cultivation?

It colonizes certain maize cultivars, particularly affecting the European corn borer pest.

What are nematode-trapping fungi?

Fungi that capture and feed on nematodes, initiating infection from spores that adhere to the nematode's surface.

What is an example of biological control involving fungi and cyst nematodes?

Nematophthora gynophila reducing the economic damage caused by Heterodera avenae in oat crops.

What is the relationship between nematodes and fungi?

Nematodes can attack fungi, but some fungi also parasitize and kill nematodes.

What is the effect of entomopathogenic fungi on insect populations?

They help regulate and control population sizes of insect pests in natural environments.

What is the target crop for the biocontrol agent developed from Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum?

It is used for controlling grasshopper and locust populations.

What production quantity of Beauveria bassiana is mentioned for forest treatment in China?

Approximately 10,000 tons annually.

What are the environmental conditions for using Lecanicillium lecanii as a biocontrol agent?

Primarily used in glasshouses, especially in cooler regions.

What is an important feature of Beauveria bassiana regarding its ecological role?

It acts as a natural population regulator for insect pests.

What is the main food source for endoparasitic fungi?

The nematodes they infect.

In which environments do Lecanicillium lecanii function as a biological control agent?

It is often restricted to glasshouse environments.

What type of bacteria is oosporein active against?

Gram positive bacteria.

Which fungus is reported to have a parasitic relationship with the European corn borer?

Beauveria bassiana.

What did the study of Nematophthora gynophila reveal about biological control?

It demonstrated that fungal infection can reduce nematode-induced economic damage.

What type of disorder does Beauveria bassiana cause in insects?

It leads to the death of insects after colonization and toxin production.

How do entomopathogenic fungi contribute to agriculture?

They offer a biological alternative to chemical pesticides.

List two fungi well-known for pathogenic interaction with insects.

Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp.

What is the mechanism of infection for nematode-trapping fungi?

They germinate from spores that adhere to nematodes and feed on their tissues.

What agricultural crop was specifically mentioned as suffering from cyst nematode infection?

Oat crops.

What commercial product is used to control whiteflies on cucumbers?

Mycotal®.

What term describes the occurrence of an epizootic in insect pathogens?

A rapid spread of disease within insect populations.

How do Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp. affect pest management economically?

By providing effective biocontrol methods that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.

What effect does oosporein have on the cadaver of a dead insect?

Helps suppress bacterial invasion and enables the fungus to exploit dead host tissues.

What is the main focus of Chapter 15 in J. W. Deacon's work?

Fungal parasites of insects and nematodes.

Name one country where significant research on biocontrol agents has been conducted.

China.

What is the aim of international development agencies regarding biocontrol agents?

To develop biocontrol agents that can be used to manage pests like locusts in Central Africa.

What is the primary method of infection for endoparasitic fungi?

Germination of spores that infect nematodes.

Which two biocontrol formulations are aimed at controlling whiteflies and thrips?

Mycotal® and Vertalec®.

What environmental condition affects the use of Lecanicillium lecanii?

Its use is mainly limited to cooler regions in glasshouses.

What is the result of extensive development of Beauveria on insect cadavers?

Profuse development of spores and hyphae.

What is an outcome of utilizing fungi in agricultural pest control?

Reduction of chemical pesticide dependence.