Ecoscience Corporation

Kathryn E Grigas

Xixuan Jin

Chao Chen

David W Miller

Carol Ann Johnson

Paul Perry

Michael L Matheny

Aparajit Panda

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

Stabilized bacteria and bacterial formulations which can survive long term storage at high temperature are described. Bacteria are dried until they reach a dormant state. Oxygen is then removed from the environment surrounding the bacteria to prevent oxidative damage to the dormant cells. The bacteria is packaged and stored in material impermeable to gas and water vapor until such time as it is ready for use. Bacteria stored under these conditions will remain stable and efficacious for at least a year.

Method and composition for producing stable bacteria and bacterial

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Worcester, MA, United States of America

Kathryn E Grigas