Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies.

ABSTRACT: Entomopathogenic fungi show great promise as pesticides in terms of their relatively high target specificity, low non-target toxicity, and low residual effects in agricultural fields and the environment. However, they also frequently have characteristics that limit their use, especially concerning tolerances to temperature, ultraviolet radiation, or other abiotic factors. The devastating ectoparasite of honey bees, Varroa destructor, is susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, but the relatively warm temperatures inside honey bee hives have prevented these fungi from becoming effective control measures. Using a combination of traditional selection and directed evolution techniques developed for this system, new strains of Metarhizium brunneum were created that survived, germinated, and grew

SUBMITTER: Han JO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8134475 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature