# Horticulture/Beauveria bassiana

White Muscadine Disease :
| Type: | Fungus |
| Binomial: | Beauveria bassiana |
| Targets: | Insects |
| Selectivity: | Low |
| Hazards: | Hazardous to beneficial insects, may also infect mammals, including humans |
Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that grows naturally in soils throughout the world and causes disease in various insects by acting as a parasite; it thus belongs to the entomopathogenic fungi. It is being used as a biological insecticide to control a number of pests such as termites, whitefly, different beetles and its use in the control of the malaria-transmitting mosquitos is under investigation. The species is named after the Italian entomologist Agostino Bassi who discovered it in 1835 as the cause of the muscardine disease of silkworms. Beauveria bassiana (formerly also known as Tritirachium shiotae) is the anamorph (the asexually reproducing form) of the fungus species Cordyceps bassiana. The teleomorph (the sexually reproducing form) was discovered in 2001.
The disease caused by the fungus is called white muscardine disease. When spores of the fungus come into contact with the body of an insect host, they germinate, enter the body, and grow inside, eventually killing the insect. Afterwards a white mold grows on the cadaver and produces new spores. Most insects living near the soil have evolved natural defenses against the fungus, but many other insects are susceptible.

## Mode of Action

As an alternative to chemical insecticide, enter the pathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana. It gives us a natural mans to fight pests.
Firstly, beauveria bassiana fungus spores land on the bugs. With high humidity, spores germinate. Secondly from there, they enter the pest’s cuticle. Thirdly, inside the host, the fungus multiplies rapidly. This rapid multiplication of fungus leads to the release of toxic chemicals. Finally, this makes the host body devoid of nutrients. Eventually resulting in the death of the host.
Unlike other bacterias and viruses of insects, Beauveria bassiana infects the host only on contact. There is no need for its consumption. The infection spreads just by physical contact.

## Uses

The fungus does not appear to infect humans or other animals and is considered safe as an insecticide but the spores might cause a problem to people with breathing difficulties. The microscopic spores are typically sprayed on affected areas; the plan for malaria control is to coat mosquito nets with them.

### Target species

Beauveria bassiana parasitizes a very wide range of arthropod hosts, and so should be considered a nonselective pesticide. It should not be applied to flowers visited by pollinating insects.
Known targets include:
* Aphids
* Whiteflies
* Bugs
   * Lygus bugs
   * Chinch bug
* Mealybugs
* Psyllids
* Grasshoppers
* Thrips
* Termites
* Fire ants
* Flies
   * Fungal gnats
   * Shoreflies
   * Mosquitoes
* Beetles
   * Colorado potato beetle
   * Mexican bean beetle
   * Japanese beetle
   * Boll weevil
   * Cereal leaf beetle
   * Bark beetles
   * Black Vine Weevil
   * Strawberry root weevil
* Caterpillars
   * European corn borer
   * Codling moth
   * Douglas fir tussock moth
* Mites

## Action

Beauveria bassiana rapidly colonizes the host organism, killing within a matter of days, depending on ambient temperatures. Best action is achieved during warm, humid weather.

## Application

Primarily applied as an emulsified suspension (ES) or wettable powder (WP), though research is being done into using lures in order to limit exposure to non-target species.

## Precautions

The low selectivity of this biocontrol is cause for great concern and caution when applying. It can affect beneficial insects (such as lady beetles), and can also affect the lungs and nasal passages of mammals, including humans, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems, though the US EPA lists it as safe for human exposure, with "no expected health risks to humans."

## Resistance

Soil dwelling arthropods generally have resistance, as the fungus is common in soils throughout the world.

## References

* 1 2 "EPA Factsheet". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
* 1 2 "Cornell Extension Service". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
* ↑ "University of Connecticut Extension". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
* ↑ "University of Minnesota Extension". Retrieved 2006-14-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
* ↑ "Doctorfungus.org". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
* Z. Z. Li, C. R. Li, B. Huang, M. Z. Fan (2001). "Discovery and demonstration of the teleomorph of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., an important entomogenous fungus". Chinese Science Bulletin. 46: 751–753.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
* Donald G. McNeil Jr., Fungus Fatal to Mosquito May Aid Global War on Malaria, The New York Times, 10 June 2005
* "Activity of oil-formulated Beauveria bassiana against Triatoma sordida in peridomestic areas in Central Brazil."
* Francisco Posada, Fernando E. Vega, Stephen A. Rehner, Meredith Blackwell, Donald Weber, Sung-Oui Suh, and Richard A. Humber Syspastospora parasitica, a mycoparasite of the fungus Beauveria bassiana attacking the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata: A tritrophic association. J Insect Sci. 2004; 4: 24.
* Index Fungorum record, links to a list of synonyms