Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae

The book explores the role of pathogens—bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and fungi—in controlling insect populations. It highlights how these microbial insecticides can lead to significant pest reductions, especially during outbreaks under favorable conditions like high humidity and pest density. Unlike chemical insecticides, pathogens operate more slowly, making their management challenging due to environmental dependencies. Visual indicators of infection, such as dead insects covered in fungal spores, serve as the only visible signs of these microscopic agents at work.