Current Perspectives on the Use of Entomopathogenic Fungi for Pest Control

Isabele da Costa Angelo^1*Jose Luis Ramirez²Adalberto Perez de Leon³Patricia Golo⁴

• ¹Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• ²Crop Bioprotection Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service (USDA), Peoria, Illinois, United States
• ³San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Agricultural Research Service (USDA), Parlier, California, United States
• ⁴Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ombura et al. (2024) explored an innovative strategy for controlling the tsetse fly, which is the vector of pathogens causing African trypanosomiasis, that combines sterile insect technique (SIT) with fungal infection using M. anisopliae strains ICIPE 20 and 78. Sterilized male flies inoculated with fungal conidia enabled horizontal transmission to females and other males during mating or social interactions. This dual approach could significantly reduce the vector population via sterility and the intensified pesticidal effect through horizontal transmission of entomopathogenic fungus. If validated in the field, this approach would be a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical trypanocides thus contributing to One Health objectives by reducing the reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides and mitigating the development of antimicrobial resistance (Percoma et al. 2018;Kasoki et al. 2024). Hidalgo et al. (2025) summarized efforts in Ecuador addressing the growing challenge of acaricide-resistant populations of the one-host tick Rhipicephalus microplus, an economically important ectoparasite and disease vector affecting cattle. Their work focused on the development of a mycopesticide using B. bassiana sensu lato strain INIAP L3B3. A phased approach going from strain selection and efficacy testing to formulation optimization and safety assessment demonstrated the acaricidal potential of INIAP L3B3 against various life stages of R. microplus. Pilot field trials indicated comparable efficacy to conventional chemical acaricides, and additional studies showed synergistic effects when B. bassiana INIAP L3B3 was combined with certain botanical extracts and synthetic acaricides. Advances in conidial production and formulation that will support its practical application and commercialization were documented. These findings underscore the viability of B. bassiana INIAP L3B3 as a component of integrated tick management strategies but also provides a model for other entomopathogenic fungi as part of sustainable pest control solutions in livestock systems.Collectively, the 4 studies revealed a promising scenario for the use of entomopathogenic fungi as tools for integrated pest and disease vector management. Each work presented a unique perspective, from optimizing biological agents and expanding the strain repertoire to implementing combined strategies and validating sustainable alternatives across agriculture, public health, and livestock production. This diversity of approaches underscores the importance of investing in research that spans from molecular mechanisms and genomic insights to practical applications and product formulation designed for real-world environments.The need to develop more robust entomopathogenic fungal strains capable of withstanding climatic variations and adapting to different environmental conditions is a common theme identified by Wallis and Sisterson and reinforced by the other studies. Biotechnological enhancement through the integration of innovative techniques, such as combining SIT with fungal infection as proposed by Ombura et al., opens new perspectives for the sustainable suppression of vector populations without the adverse effects associated with intense chemical use. Meanwhile, the reviews by Miranda et al. and Hidalgo et al. demonstrated that strains of entomopathogenic fungi like Metarhizium and Beauveria have comparable efficacy to conventional control methods, and under certain circumstances could potentially replace or complement synthetic insecticides and acaricides, thereby contributing to the sustainability of production systems and mitigation of environmental and health risks. Collectively, these studies also emphasize the need for interdisciplinary research that incorporates biotechnology, microbial ecology, genetic engineering, and agronomic management to overcome the inherent challenges in the development and commercialization of mycopesticides.Studies in this Research Topic demonstrated the central role entomopathogenic fungi can play in sustainable pest control. The diverse approaches and innovative solutions discussed emphasize how basic and applied research can deliver robust solutions to the challenges of pest and disease vector management. Interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts among universities, research institutions, and industry are essential to develop effective formulations of entomopathogenic fungi that are used globally for safer pest control. This will fully realize the contribution of mycopesticides to food security, public health, and animal welfare.