The growing demand for eco-friendly biological agents with diverse mechanisms of action and low toxicity to non-target organisms is rising. Among the insect pathogens that have been evaluated are entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria. These organisms have shown great potential in combating agricultural, livestock, and human pests. Nevertheless, their efficacy is significantly impacted by various factors, such as the interplay among bioagents, environmental conditions, and the targeted hosts.
The immune response of the host is a critical consideration when developing biological agents for insect management. According to recent findings, social insects, including termites and ants, can detect and evade entomopathogenic fungi by relying on their sense of smell. When infected with fungi, ants exhibit self-medication behavior, increase social interactions with nestmates, and alter their behavior in response to the infection.
Effective pest control can be achieved by enhancing the pathogenicity of fungi, and by bypassing the host immune system of insect pest. Methods to improve the potency of entomopathogenic microbes involve pressure selection, genetic advancement, and mutation. Furthermore, the screening of bioagents with heightened pathogenic potential and non-repellent qualities has been recommended. Increasing the resistance of bioagents to ant defensive chemicals also increases their virulence to insect pests.
This Research Topic is open to submissions of research and review articles that explore various aspects of biological control, including the mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interactions, the virulence of entomopathogenic microbes against insects, and the immune response to infection by bioagents.
Specifically, the following contributions are welcome.
• Laboratory, greenhouse, or field studies on the application of insect pathogenic bacteria and fungi for improved pests and diseases management.
• Studies that advance the knowledge and understanding of molecular and immunological mechanisms of infection.
• The functioning of different signalling pathways in the immune response.
The growing demand for eco-friendly biological agents with diverse mechanisms of action and low toxicity to non-target organisms is rising. Among the insect pathogens that have been evaluated are entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria. These organisms have shown great potential in combating agricultural, livestock, and human pests. Nevertheless, their efficacy is significantly impacted by various factors, such as the interplay among bioagents, environmental conditions, and the targeted hosts.
The immune response of the host is a critical consideration when developing biological agents for insect management. According to recent findings, social insects, including termites and ants, can detect and evade entomopathogenic fungi by relying on their sense of smell. When infected with fungi, ants exhibit self-medication behavior, increase social interactions with nestmates, and alter their behavior in response to the infection.
Effective pest control can be achieved by enhancing the pathogenicity of fungi, and by bypassing the host immune system of insect pest. Methods to improve the potency of entomopathogenic microbes involve pressure selection, genetic advancement, and mutation. Furthermore, the screening of bioagents with heightened pathogenic potential and non-repellent qualities has been recommended. Increasing the resistance of bioagents to ant defensive chemicals also increases their virulence to insect pests.
This Research Topic is open to submissions of research and review articles that explore various aspects of biological control, including the mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interactions, the virulence of entomopathogenic microbes against insects, and the immune response to infection by bioagents.
Specifically, the following contributions are welcome.
• Laboratory, greenhouse, or field studies on the application of insect pathogenic bacteria and fungi for improved pests and diseases management.
• Studies that advance the knowledge and understanding of molecular and immunological mechanisms of infection.
• The functioning of different signalling pathways in the immune response.