TH10131A - Methods and tools for biological insect control? - Google Patents

Abstract

A convenient, economical, non-toxic, and effective method for insect control is to attract insects to contact with fungi, for example, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, which are insect pathogens, at high concentrations so that these insects become infected and die. These fungi are introduced into the desired environment using a method that ensures contact and infection of the insects. In the method to be used for biological control of cockroaches, cockroaches are exposed to the fungi through a box containing the fungi with an opening for the cockroach to enter and come into contact with the cultured fungi, which are pathogenic to cockroaches. Fungal spores attach to the cockroach, grow, and penetrate its body, resulting in the death of the infected cockroach. Death occurs approximately two to three weeks after contact with the cultured fungi. During this time, the infected cockroaches spread the pathogenic fungal spores throughout the area, which may infect other cockroaches. Under suitable environmental conditions, the fungi rupture, and spores on the dead cockroach's body, and conidia, can be transmitted to other cockroaches, resulting in the spread of the disease.

Claims (16)

1. An insect control device consisting of a box with at least one entrance for insects, containing a live fungus that is a pathogen to the insects, nutrients for the pathogen, and materials to maintain the moisture of the nutrients and the insect attractant (Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauvria bassiana). 2. The instrument of claim 1, in which the pathogenic fungus is selected, is derived from the group Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauvria bassiana, and combinations of these fungi. 3. The instrument of Claim 1, in which the conidia of the pathogenic fungus respond to specific stimuli from the cockroach's outer surface and adhere to the cockroach's outer surface. 4. The device pursuant to claim paragraph 3, which contains a box containing the bacteria and a cockroach attractant. 5. The instrument under claim 1, in which the attractant is selected from a group of food, appearance, scent and pheromones that are attractive to certain insects. 6. The instrument of claim 5, which this insect is selected from the group consisting of ants, wasps, termites, mites, flies, and cockroaches. 7. The instrument of Claim 1, in which the culture medium, agar medium, and moisture retainer are incorporated into the walls of this inoculated box. 8. Instrumentation of Claim 1, which the dimensions of the control box force insects into contact with the pathogenic fungal culture medium. 9. A method for insect control involving the application of high concentrations of fungal pathogens to surfaces frequently touched by the insects. 10. The method of claim 9, in which the pathogenic fungus is selected from the group of Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauvria bassiana, and a combination of these fungi. 11. The method of claim 9, in addition, involves selecting pathogenic fungi based on the quantity of pathogenic fungal comedis that will respond to specific stimuli and adhere to the cockroach's surface. 12. The method of claim 9, in which the pathogenic fungus is provided in a box containing the fungus with an opening for insects to come into contact with the fungus, along with nutrients for the pathogenic fungus, a substance to maintain the moisture of the nutrients, and an insect attractant. 13. The method of claim 12, in which the attractant draws insects in. 14. The method of claim 9, in which the lure is selected from a group of food, shape, scent and pheromones that are attractive to specific insect species. 15. The method of claim number 9, which these fungi provide, is in the form that infects insects. 16. The method of claim 9, which also includes providing a substance that maintains the fungus in a moist environment (Clause 16, page 2, 4 images).