Review Article

Myco-Biocontrol of Insect Pests: Factors Involved, Mechanism, and Regulation

Table 1

Different types of organisms including pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes have been used as biocontrol agents.

Biocontrol agentCommon examplesBiological action

Parasitic insects: living organisms remaining in close association with their hosts and gradually derive their food from the hostTrichogramma chilonis, Epiricania melanoleuca They live and feed internally or externally on the host.
Predatory insects
Chrysoperla carnea, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Insects which kill and devour the prey
Microorganisms (Bacteria,  fungi, viruses)
Bacteria, for example, Bacillus thuringiensis Fungi, for example, species of Trichoderma, Nomuraea, Paecilomyces,Verticillium, Metarhizium, and Beauveria Viruses, for example, nuclear polyhedrosis virusCause diseases in pests and inhibit the harmful fungi