Device containing fungus for the biological control of insects

Abstract

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.