Ecoscience Corporation

Ecoscience Laboratories, Inc.

David W Miller

Haim B Gunner

Fernando Agudelo-Silva

Carol Ann Johnson

Paul Perry

Kathryn E Grigas

Meir Broza

Xixuan Jin

Vanessa F LeFevre

Methods for packaging Metarhizium fungal cultures or conidia are described. In one embodiment, the fungal culture is provided within an insect infection chamber that attracts insects, then infects them with a lethal dosage of fungus, where the packaging maintains high humidity within the chamber, allows free exchange of gases, and is impermeable to microbes, including fungal spores, viruses, and bacteria. In a second embodiment, the fungal conidia are packaged under conditions which maintain high viability even after long-term storage at both 25.degree. C. and 37.degree. C., i.e., low relative humidity and oxygen. The conidia can then be reactivated for the use in the control of insects such as cockroaches, flies, ants, soft-bodied insects, turf pests, and caterpillars.

Method for storing fungal conidia

A method for packaging an insect infection chamber that attracts insects, then infects them with a lethal dosage of fungus, where the packaging maintains high humidity within the chamber, allows fee exchange of gases, and is impermeable to microbes, including fungal spores, viruses, and bacteria.

Packaged fungal culture stable to long term storage

A infection chamber for control and extermination of insects, including roaches, flying insects such as the housefly, and other insects such as the adult form of the corn rootworm by infection of the insects with a fungus that can be pathogenic when administered to the insects in a sufficiently high concentration. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, protecting the fungi from the environment (including rain, ultraviolet light and the wind), serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores. The two most preferred entomopathogenic fungi are Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, although other fungi can be used which are pathogenic when the insect is inoculated via the infection chamber. Examples demonstrate control of Blattella germanica (the German cockroach), Periplaneta americana (the American cockroach, Fannia canicularis (little housefly), Musca domestica (housefly), and Diabrotica undecempunctata using chambers containing Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana.

Device containing fungus for the biological control of insects

A method for control and extermination of flying insects, especially the housefly, by infection of the insects with an entomopathogenic fungus, preferably soil-dwelling fungi, by means of an infection chamber. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. The spores attach to the insects and originate germ tubes that penetrate into the insect, resulting in death within three to four days. The chamber design, i.e., shape and color, can be the sole attractants for the insects. Alternatively, food or scents can be used to further enhance the attraction of the insects for the chamber. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact with the fungal growth, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores.

Method and device for the biological control of flying insects

A method for control and extermination of insects, including roaches, flying insects such as the housefly, and other insects such as the adult form of the corn rootworm by infection of the insects with a fungus that can be pathogenic when administered to the insects in a sufficiently high concentration, by means of an infection chamber. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, protecting the fungi from the environment (including rain, ultraviolet light and the wind), serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores. The two most preferred entomopathogenic fungi are Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, although other fungi can be used which are pathogenic when the insect is inoculated via the infection chamber. Examples demonstrate control of Blattella germanica (the German cockroach), Periplaneta americana (the American cockroach, Fannia canicularis (little housefly), Musca domestica (housefly), and Diabrotica undecempunctata using chambers containing Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana.

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Amherst, MA, United States of America

David W Miller