Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles
Ambrosia beetles, known for their symbiotic relationship with fungi cultivated within the tissues of host trees, have become significant pests, particularly when they serve as vectors for pathogenic fungi such as <i>Raffaelea lauricola</i>. Given the regulatory and environmental constrai...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| author | Jesús Enrique Castrejón-Antonio Patricia Tamez-Guerra |
| author_facet | Jesús Enrique Castrejón-Antonio Patricia Tamez-Guerra |
| author_sort | Jesús Enrique Castrejón-Antonio |
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| description | Ambrosia beetles, known for their symbiotic relationship with fungi cultivated within the tissues of host trees, have become significant pests, particularly when they serve as vectors for pathogenic fungi such as <i>Raffaelea lauricola</i>. Given the regulatory and environmental constraints for chemical application as a tool for their control, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) represent a promising pest management alternative. This review presents an overview of bioassays assessing the pathogenicity and virulence of EPF against ambrosia beetles. Most studies have been performed in vivo (artificial diet) under laboratory conditions, focusing on exotic species and testing EPF genera such as <i>Beauveria</i>, <i>Metarhizium</i>, <i>Isaria</i>, and <i>Purpureocillium</i>. However, variations in inoculation methods, environmental conditions, and fungal formulations, have led to diverse results. In addition, the complex biology of these insects, particularly their dependence on symbiotic fungi, represents significant methodological challenges. Field trials (in situ bioassays) are still scarce, and there is a need to move toward standardized protocols and more objective experimental models that consider not only insects’ behavior but also ecological factors. Bridging this gap is essential for successfully implementing EPF-based strategies to assess ambrosia beetles’ biocontrol. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2db9ae6c6c9d403ba9e2dc5a645f1fb2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-2db9ae6c6c9d403ba9e2dc5a645f1fb22025-08-20T02:20:58ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-06-0116661510.3390/insects16060615Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia BeetlesJesús Enrique Castrejón-Antonio0Patricia Tamez-Guerra1Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Colima, Autopista Colima-Manzanillo km 40, La Estación, Tecomán 28930, Colima, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Pedro de Alba S/N, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Nuevo León, MexicoAmbrosia beetles, known for their symbiotic relationship with fungi cultivated within the tissues of host trees, have become significant pests, particularly when they serve as vectors for pathogenic fungi such as <i>Raffaelea lauricola</i>. Given the regulatory and environmental constraints for chemical application as a tool for their control, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) represent a promising pest management alternative. This review presents an overview of bioassays assessing the pathogenicity and virulence of EPF against ambrosia beetles. Most studies have been performed in vivo (artificial diet) under laboratory conditions, focusing on exotic species and testing EPF genera such as <i>Beauveria</i>, <i>Metarhizium</i>, <i>Isaria</i>, and <i>Purpureocillium</i>. However, variations in inoculation methods, environmental conditions, and fungal formulations, have led to diverse results. In addition, the complex biology of these insects, particularly their dependence on symbiotic fungi, represents significant methodological challenges. Field trials (in situ bioassays) are still scarce, and there is a need to move toward standardized protocols and more objective experimental models that consider not only insects’ behavior but also ecological factors. Bridging this gap is essential for successfully implementing EPF-based strategies to assess ambrosia beetles’ biocontrol.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/615bark beetlesbiological controlinoculationformulationScolytinaepest management programs |
| spellingShingle | Jesús Enrique Castrejón-Antonio Patricia Tamez-Guerra Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles Insects bark beetles biological control inoculation formulation Scolytinae pest management programs |
| title | Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles |
| title_full | Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles |
| title_fullStr | Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles |
| title_full_unstemmed | Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles |
| title_short | Overview and Recent Advances in Bioassays to Evaluate the Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Ambrosia Beetles |
| title_sort | overview and recent advances in bioassays to evaluate the potential of entomopathogenic fungi against ambrosia beetles |
| topic | bark beetles biological control inoculation formulation Scolytinae pest management programs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/615 |
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