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ENTOMOPATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS AS BIOPESTICIDES: A REVIEW
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Frontiers in Life Science (Volume III)
ISBN: 978-81-953600-3-1
ENTOMOPATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS
AS BIOPESTICIDES: A REVIEW
Anupama Prabhakarrao Pathak1*, Mukundraj Govindrao Rathod2,
Ashwini Mahaling Devarshe1, Mahesh Rajkumar Hundekar1,
Shivani Anil Tengse1 and Gautam Tanaji Kamble1
1School of Life Sciences (DST-FIST phase-I & UGC-SAP DRS-II sponsored school),
Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded 431606.
2Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (U.G. & P.G.),
Yeshwant College of Information Technology
(Affiliated to S.R.T.M. University, Nanded), Parbhani 431401, Maharashtra
*Corresponding authors E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract:
Biopesticides are able to protect crops from plant harming and damaging pests by the
eco-friendly mode of action. Hence biopesticides are gaining attention of farmers in integrated
pest management system. Some entomopathogens have been employed in modern agriculture to
control pests and for improvement in productivity and now used immensely from last decade.
Protection of crops from pests is an ultimate target of any biopesticide which is a bio-intensive
tool of integrated pest management. The advantages of biopesticides include single target
specific, multi target specific, effective in very small quantities, decompose quickly etc. The
need and demand for biopesticides are rising gradually in agricultural sector. Biopesticides are
used in Integrated Pest Management systems to protect the crops like fruits, vegetables, nuts and
flowers from the attack of pest. This chapter has reviewed role and types of entomopathogenic
microorganisms and their potential application as biopesticides are discussed.
Keywords: biopesticides, baculovirus, protozoa, nematode, entomopathogenic
Introduction:
In agriculture, control of pests with synthetic chemicals results in several problems as
they show toxic effects on plants, birds, honeybees, wild animals, aquatic fauna etc. Synthetic
chemical based pesticides can also be harmful to humans and domestic animals (Burges, 2012).
Moreover they can contaminate ground water. Therefore, as an alternative, biological control
agents have been introduced and screened for their efficacy and environmental safety (Dara,
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2017). In this regard, some entomopathogens have been employed in modern agriculture to
control pests and for improvement in productivity and now used immensely from last decade. In
2001, approximately 195 biopesticide active ingredients and 780 products were introduced. In
general, biopesticides are derived from natural sources such as animals, plants, bacteria, and
certain minerals. Simply, they are living organisms (natural enemies) or their products such as
phytochemicals and microbial products or byproducts (semiochemicals) that can be used for the
management of pests; however, some natural materials like canola oil and baking soda are
reported to have pesticidal action and hence considered as biopesticides (Usta, 2013; Dara,
2017). Protection of crops from pests is an ultimate target of any biopesticide which is a bio-
intensive tool of integrated pest management. The advantages of biopesticides include single
target specific, multi target specific, effective in very small quantities, decompose quickly etc.
Thus they are eco-friendly (Litwin et al., 2020).
Microbial pesticides:
Bacteria Fungi
Microbial
Pesticides
Algae Protozoa
Viruses
Figure 1: Naturally occurring or genetically engineered bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses and
protozoa as sources of microbial pesticides
Sources of microbial pesticides are naturally occurring or genetically modified bacteria,
fungi, algae, viruses and protozoa (Figure 1).
Entomopathogenic bacteria as biopesticides:
Many species of genus Bacillus have been isolated and identified from dead bodies of
insects (Vos et al., 2011; Pathak et al., 2012; Cherekar and Pathak, 2015). Such bacterial
entomopathogens invade through the integument or gut of the insect, multiply in host and
produce insecticidal toxins. This results in the death of the host (insect). The toxins produced by
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Frontiers in Life Science (Volume III)
ISBN: 978-81-953600-3-1
microbial entomopathogens are peptides, but they vary greatly in terms of structure, toxicity and
specificity. Bacterial pesticides are the most common and cheaper form of microbial pesticides
(Usta, 2013). Bacillus sphaericus 2362(Bs) was found to be effective against mosquito and other
dipteran larvae. B. thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki and aizawai exhibited the highest insecticidal
activity against lepidopteran larval species. Bacillus thuringiensis produces crystalline proteins
and kills a group of target insect pest species like lepidopteran species (Senthil-Nathan, 2015).
Entomopathogenic fungi as biopesticides:
Entomopathogenic fungi are the potential mycoinsecticidal agents that are effective
against diverse insect pests in agriculture. These fungi infect their hosts by penetrating through
the cuticle, gaining access to the hemolymph, producing toxins, and grow by utilizing nutrients
present in the haemocoel and thus escape from insect‘s immune responses. Entomopathogenic
fungi are applied either in the form of conidia or mycelium which sporulates after application.
The combined application of insecticide with fungal entomopathogens could be very useful for
insecticide resistant management (Usta, 2013). Metarhizium anisopliae is soil inhabiting and
well studied entomopathogenic fungus. Spores of this fungus infect to soil-dwelling insects and
produce insecticidal effects (Senthil-Nathan, 2015; Azizoglu et al., 2020). Mode of action of
entomopathogenic fungi against lepidopteran insects has been summarized in a following chart
(Figure 2).
Attachment of a conidium (infectious spore)
Germination of conidium
Cuticle and epidermis penetration by production of hyphae
Propagation of the hyphal bodies within the haemolymph
Vegetative fungal growth causes the death of infected insect
Figure 2: Insecticidal effect of entomopathogenic fungi
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Entomopathogenic viruses as biopesticides:
About 1600 different viruses are known to infect 1100 species of insects and mites. Of
these, a group of baculovirus infects to approximately 100 species of insect. This group of
baculovirus accounts for more than 10% of all entomopathogenic viruses. Baculoviruses are rod-
shaped particles which contain DNA as their genetic material. They are found in arthropods.
Most viruses are enclosed in a protein coat to make up a virus inclusion body. Alkaline condition
of insect‘s midgut helps to denature the protein coat. Then, viral particles are released from the
inclusion body. These particles fuse with the midgut epithelial cells of insect, multiply rapidly
and eventually kill the host. Many baculoviruses are host-specific. Therefore they cannot be used
to control several different pests at a time. The action of baculoviruses on insect larvae is very
slow to satisfy farmers and insecticides based on baculovirus are expensive. Moreover, such
insecticides are not stable under the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Hence, to increase the efficacy,
baculoviruses are encapsulated by UV protectants (Usta, 2013; Kachhawa, 2017). At present,
many baculovirus based pesticides are available for the control of caterpillar pests (Senthil-
Nathan, 2015). Mode of action of baculovirus against lepidopteran insects has been summarized
in a following chart (Figure 3).
Polyhedra with embedded virions
Ingestion of polyhedral in insect
Entry in peritrophic membrane of midgut
Dissolution of polyhedral, release of virions and breakdown of peritrophic membrane
Death of insect
Figure 3: Flowchart for mode of action of baculoviruses against lepidopteran insects
Entomopathogenic protozoa nematodes as biopesticides:
A wide range of insect hosts are infected by protozoa. Microsporidia are popularly known
for their insecticidal action. Some protozoa require many days or weeks to make harm their host.
A protozoan species Nosema locustae is toxic for grasshoppers. Spores of protozoa induce
massive infection and demolish organs and tissues of invertibrates (Senthil-Nathan, 2015). In
1990, entomopathogenic nematodes from two genera, namely, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis
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Frontiers in Life Science (Volume III)
ISBN: 978-81-953600-3-1
were found to be effective biocontrol agents against insects. Nonfeeding juvenile nematodes
infest suitable insect and enter through the insect‘s natural body openings like the anus, mouth,
and spiracles. Nematodes localize in the hemocoel and then release their symbiotic bacteria into
the intestine. After that, the bacteria cause septicemia and kill the host within 24 to 48 h (Senthil-
Nathan, 2015).
Formulation criteria:
The organisms selected in microbial insecticides should be non-toxic and non-pathogenic
to wildlife and humans. The toxic action of microbial insecticides should be specific only to a
single group or species of insects. The selected microbial insecticide should not affect beneficial
insects (including predators or parasites of pests) in treated areas. The developed formulations of
biopesticides should be protected from Heat and desiccation (drying out). Effectiveness of
several types of microbial insecticides reduces after exposure to ultraviolet radiation; hence
proper timing and application procedures are especially important (Usta 2013; Ruiu 2018).
Conclusion and future prospective:
The need and demand for biopesticides are rising gradually in agricultural sector.
Biopesticides are used in Integrated Pest Management systems to protect the crops like fruits,
vegetables, nuts and flowers from the attack of pest. A lot of hard work in the extreme extent is
still to be carried out as numerous potential entomopathogenic microorganisms, have been
identified by researchers and they have not scaled up as biopesticides. Research on biopesticides
should be carried out to make available these products to economically weaken farmers at an
affordable price.
Acknowledgement:
Authors are thankful to Hon. Dr. Udhav V. Bhosle, Vice-Chancellor of Swami Ramanand
Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded for providing necessary facilities.
References:
Azizoglu, U., Jouzani, G. S., Yilmaz, N., Baz, E., and Ozkok, D. (2020). Genetically modified
entomopathogenic bacteria, recent developments, benefits and impacts: A review. Science
of The Total Environment, 139169.
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Burges, H. D. (2012). Formulation of microbial biopesticides: beneficial microorganisms,
nematodes and seed treatments. Springer Science and Business Media.
Cherekar, M. N., and Pathak, A. P. (2015). Studies on haloalkaliphilic gammaproteobacteria
from hypersaline Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan, India.
Dara, S. K. (2017). Entomopathogenic microorganisms: modes of action and role in
IPM. Agriculture and Natural Blogs, University of California, 7p.
Kachhawa, D. (2017). Microorganisms as a biopesticides. Journal of Entomology and Zoology
Studies, 5(3), 468-473.
Litwin, A., Nowak, M., and Różalska, S. (2020). Entomopathogenic fungi: unconventional
applications. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 19(1), 23-42.
Pathak, A., Sardar, A., Kadam, V., Rekadwad, B., and Karuppayil, S. M. (2012). Efficacy of
some medicinal plants against human dental pathogens.
Ruiu, L. (2018). Microbial biopesticides in agroecosystems. Agronomy, 8(11), 235.
Senthil-Nathan, S. (2015). A review of biopesticides and their mode of action against insect
pests. Environmental sustainability, 49-63.
Usta, C. (2013). Microorganisms in biological pest control—a review (bacterial toxin application
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317). Rijeka: InTech.
Vos, P., Garrity, G., Jones, D., Krieg, N. R., Ludwig, W., Rainey, F. A., and Whitman, W. B.
(Eds.). (2011). Bergey's manual of systematic bacteriology: Volume 3: The
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First Edition: 2021
ISBN: 978-81-953600-3-1
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