Identification of a novel polymycovirus infecting the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii.

Mycoviruses studies have been increasing in the last few years. Most of them are focused on the ability of the virus to positively or negatively affect the virulence of their host. Hypervirulence-associated mycoviruses infecting important entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae or Beauveria bassiana increase their pathogenicity against lepidopteran pests, and with it, their potential as biocontrol agents.