Quick and easy quality testing of entomopathogenic fungi on farm

Summary

Entomopathogenic fungi such as *Bavaria*, *Basana*, and *Merium Bruni* are effective bioinsecticides for pest control, but their efficacy depends on the presence of viable spores. This video demonstrates a simple method to test whether a product contains live spores using Galleria moth larvae, which are highly susceptible to fungal infections. The test involves preparing the product, placing larvae on moistened paper, and observing the larvae for fungal growth over 7 to 10 days. The method can also be applied to soil samples to ensure fungal viability, crucial for successful pest management.

Takeaways

• 😀 Entomopathogenic fungi like Bavaria basiana and Metarhizium brunneum are used as bioinsecticides to manage various pests, including whiteflies and beetles.
• 😀 Common trade names of entomopathogenic fungi available in Canada include Botanigard, Bioer, Velifer (for Bavaria basiana), and Lard M52 (for Metarhizium brunneum).
• 😀 To ensure effective pest control, the product must contain viable spores to infect the targeted pests.
• 😀 Entomopathogenic fungi are difficult to evaluate visually for viability, unlike predators or parasitoids, which can be seen alive or dead.
• 😀 This video demonstrates a simple method to test the viability of entomopathogenic fungi in a product.
• 😀 The viability test involves using Galleria moth larvae (wax worms), which are highly susceptible to fungal infections.
• 😀 Materials needed for the test include paper towels or filter paper, a shallow plastic container (Petri dish or sandwich container), and live Galleria moth larvae.
• 😀 The test involves moistening filter paper with the product solution, placing larvae on top, and incubating the setup for 7 to 10 days at 20-26°C.
• 😀 After incubation, fungal infection will appear as a white powdery mold (for Bavaria basiana) or olive green mold (for Metarhizium brunneum) on infected larvae.
• 😀 If the larvae are dead due to other causes, such as starvation or bacteria, they will not show mold and will be soft and squishy.
• 😀 The same method can be used to test the viability of entomopathogenic fungi in soil, by using substrate samples treated with the product and testing with larvae.
• 😀 Entomopathogenic fungi are vital for managing many pest species, but their efficacy depends on the presence of viable spores, which can be checked with the Galleria moth test.

Q & A

What are entomopathogenic fungi and what role do they play in pest management?

Entomopathogenic fungi are fungi that act as bioinsecticides, used to manage a variety of pests such as whiteflies, aphids, and beetles. They infect and kill pests, making them an important tool in integrated pest management.

What are some common trade names for entomopathogenic fungi in Canada?

In Canada, common trade names for entomopathogenic fungi include Botanigard, Bioer, Velifer for Bavaria bassiana, and Lard M52 for Metarhizium brunneum.

Why is it important to ensure that entomopathogenic fungi products contain viable spores?

It is essential to ensure that entomopathogenic fungi products contain viable spores because only live spores can infect and kill pests. The efficacy of the product depends on the spores' viability.

How can you test the viability of entomopathogenic fungi on your farm?

To test the viability of entomopathogenic fungi, you can use a simple method involving Galleria moth larvae. By placing the larvae on moistened paper or filter paper in a petri dish and observing them after 7-10 days, you can determine if the larvae were infected by the fungi.

Why are Galleria moth larvae commonly used in viability tests for entomopathogenic fungi?

Galleria moth larvae, also known as waxworms, are highly susceptible to infection by entomopathogenic fungi, making them ideal subjects for testing the efficacy of these fungi.

What are the signs of fungal infection on Galleria moth larvae?

Signs of fungal infection on Galleria moth larvae include the appearance of white powdery mold when infected by Bavaria bassiana and olive green mold when infected by Metarhizium brunneum.

What should be done if the larvae are not infected by the entomopathogenic fungi?

If the larvae are not infected by the entomopathogenic fungi, it could indicate that the product did not contain viable spores. This may be due to poor storage or shipping conditions, or the fungi may not be effective against the pest species being tested.

How can you test the viability of entomopathogenic fungi in the soil?

To test the viability of entomopathogenic fungi in soil, you can collect substrate samples from different parts of your farm, place them in a petri dish with Galleria moth larvae, and follow the same method as testing the product in isolation.

What are the temperature and incubation conditions required for the viability test?

The viability test should be conducted in an incubator or a safe, room-temperature environment (20-26°C) for 7-10 days. This ensures that the larvae have enough time to be exposed to the fungi and show any signs of infection.

Why is it necessary to collect multiple substrate samples from different parts of the farm?

Collecting multiple substrate samples from different parts of the farm helps ensure a more reliable result, as it accounts for any variations in fungal distribution and environmental conditions across the farm.