Encapsulation of the psyllid-pathogenic fungus Pandora sp. nov. inedit. and experimental infection of target insects.

Background: Pandora sp. nov. inedit.

Image analysis-based quantification of fungal sporulation by automatic conidia counting and gray value correlation.

The present work describes a new computer-assisted image analysis method for the rapid, simple, objective and reproducible quantification of actively discharged fungal spores which can serve as a manual for laboratories working in this context. The method can be used with conventional laboratory equipment by using bright field microscopes, standard scanners and the open-source software ImageJ. Compared to other conidia quantification methods by computer-assisted image analysis, the presented method bears a higher potential to be applied for large-scale sample quantities.

Chitin increases drying survival of encapsulated Metarhizium pemphigi blastospores for Ixodes ricinus control.

Ticks, like Ixodes ricinus, have negative impacts on human and animal health in Germany and worldwide, with almost no specific scientifically proven biological control agent commercially available. Biological control agents containing entomopathogenic fungi present many advantages over chemical acaricides but usually high doses of aerial conidia (10-10 conidia/ha) are required to control arthropod pests in the field. A suitable formulation containing nutrients not only makes sensitive blastospores applicable but also functions as a microfermenter to multiply the biomass and thus significantly reduce the required application dosage.

Development of an attract-and-kill co-formulation containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and neem extract attractive towards wireworms.

Background: Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are major insect pests of worldwide relevance. Owing to the progressive phasing-out of chemical insecticides, there is great demand for innovative control options. This study reports on the development of an attract-and-kill co-formulation based on Ca-alginate beads, which release CO and contain neem extract as a bioinsecticidal compound.

Co-encapsulation of amyloglucosidase with starch and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as basis for a long-lasting CO release.

CO is known as a major attractant for many arthropod pests which can be exploited for pest control within novel attract-and-kill strategies. This study reports on the development of a slow-release system for CO based on calcium alginate beads containing granular corn starch, amyloglucosidase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our aim was to evaluate the conditions which influence the CO release and to clarify the biochemical reactions taking place within the beads.

Calcium gluconate as cross-linker improves survival and shelf life of encapsulated and dried Metarhizium brunneum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the application as biological control agents.

Calcium chloride (CC) is the most common cross-linker for the encapsulation of biocontrol microorganisms in alginate beads. The aim of this study was to evaluate if calcium gluconate (CG) can replace CC as cross-linker and at the same time improve viability after drying and rehydration, hygroscopic properties, shelf life and nutrient supply. Hence, the biocontrol fungi Metarhizium brunneum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were encapsulated in Ca-alginate beads supplemented with starch.