A new strategy using entomopathogenic fungi for the control of tree borer insects

In order to establish a strategy for controlling pests living in trees and causing damage, injected entomopathogenic fungal conidia suspension of Beauveria bassiana into a four-year-old Canary Island date palm, Phoenix canariensis. As a result, B. bassiana Bb-egfp#3 expressing green fluorescent protein was dispersed from the injection site to the top and bottom of the tree. To evaluate the insecticidal activity of the Bb-egfp#3 injected into the tree, we released mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) on the ground palm tree sample that was injected with the conidia suspension. As a result, mycosis caused by the injected Bb-egfp#3 in the trees was generated in all cadavers. This study suggests the possibility of establishing a new control strategy against tree pests by injecting an entomopathogenic fungal conidia suspension into trees.