## 1 Introduction  
Leafcutter ants (_Atta_ spp.) pose a significant threat to agriculture due to their substantial economic impact. They are recognized as dominant pests in the Neotropics [1] and South America [2, 3]. In Mexico, three species of the _Atta_ genus known for their leaf-cutting behavior were identified, i.e., _A. mexicana_, _A. texana_, and _A. cephalotes_. Among these, _A. mexicana_ is the most widespread and numerous [4]. _A. mexicana_ exhibits the intriguing behavior of cutting and collecting plant material fragments to use them as a substrate for the fungus _Leucoagaricus gongylophorus_ ([PERSON]) [5]. This symbiotic relationship enhances the efficiency of converting plant material into highly nutritious food [6]. However, these ants are also infamous as pests. Mature _A. mexicana_ colonies can defolate up to 500 kg of plant material (dry weight) annually, causing significant economic losses in agricultural, forestry, and ornamental systems across various Mexican regions [7, 8, 9]. Defoliation attributed to _A. mexicama_ can occur at any stage of plant growth, demanding effective control measures to safeguard the productivity of the affected crops [10]. This presents formidable challenges, primarily due to the nocturnal defoliation behavior of adult ants, their adaptability to diverse ecosystems, and their intricate social structure [11]. Historically, the primary method of control has been the application of chemicals [12], particularly, toxic baits containing sulfuramide and fipronil as common active ingredients [13]. However, their use has declined due to environmental contamination, especially in soil and groundwater, along with issues related to their lack of specificity. Consequently, the quest for more ecologically and environmentally friendly alternatives has arisen [13]. In this context, microbial agents in the form of biopesticides have emerged as a potent component of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, offering a potentially superior alternative to synthetic insecticides [14]. Given their promising efficacy, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been extensively evaluated and recommended by numerous researchers as a biological control solution against economically significant insect pests [15,16] in diverse crop settings. These fungi possess the ability to adhere to and penetrate their hosts' cuticles, releasing enzymes such as chitinase, chitosan, and lipase to weaken the host's regulatory system and evade its immune defenses [17]. Furthermore, they can produce compounds like beauvericin and destruxins, which paralyze insects and ultimately result in their demise [18]. Among the EPF most widely employed as biological insecticides, two stand out, i.e., _Beauveria bassiana_ and _Metrahizium anisopliae. B. bassiana_ (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) has demonstrated its ability to infect over 200 species of insects and mites spanning various genera and orders [19, 20, 21, 22]. This fungus achieves infection by adhering to the host's cuticle through adhesive proteins, followed by the formation of an appressorium, which decomposes chitin through a combination of mechanical resistance and enzymatic degradation, facilitated by beauvericin [21]. _M. anisopliae_ (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) is a generalist entomopathogen that has proven successful in controlling insect pests from more than seven orders [23]. This fungus produces various secondary fungal metabolites, including cyclic hexadepsipeptides, known as destruxins, which induce membrane depolarization by opening Ca\({}^{2+}\) channels, leading to the host insect paralysis and death [24]. To harness EPF effectively as biological control agents, it is imperative to develop their large-scale production and formulation systems that match or exceed the effectiveness of traditional chemicals. This is an essential prerequisite for the acceptance and commercialization of biopesticides. Additionally, the viability, growth capacity, and storage stability of these fungi must be ensured [25]. For instance, previous research tested _B. bassiana_ and _M.