Entomopathogenic Fungi: Factors Involved in Successful Microbial Control of Insect Pests

摘要

Entomopathogenic fungi have great potential to control insect pests, which either feed on aerial or underground plant parts. The study revealed that virulence and pathogenicity of fungi greatly affected by biotic factors such as fungal species, spore density, host plant chemistry, insect host species and host life stages and abiotic factors likewise, temperature, sunlight, rain and relative humidity. The aim of this review is to find out the factors and characteristics which affect the virulence and pathogenicity of the fungi. From the literature, it was concluded that the relative humidity seems to be more important than other factors to ensure infection and successful disease development in targeted insect population.