Compositions and methods to reduce insect pests
Inventors
Shapiro Ilan, David I. • Behle, Robert W. • WU, SHAOHUI • TOEWS, MICHAEL • CASTRILLO, LOUELA
Assignees
University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc UGARF • US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-11576384-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-14
Expiration Date
2040-04-16
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Abstract
The invention relates to biocontrol compositions comprising an entomopathogenic fungus, kits comprising such an entomopathogenic fungus, and methods of using such a fungus and compositions to reduce or kill the population of agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crop insect pests.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to biocontrol compositions comprising entomopathogenic fungi, specifically an entomopathogenic fungal strain named Isaria javanica strain wf GA17 (Ij wf GA17), kits comprising such fungi, and methods of using said fungi and compositions to reduce or kill populations of agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crop insect pests. The invention provides a means to control various insect pests through application of the fungi in different compositions and formats.
The problem addressed by the invention is the need for new entomopathogenic fungi that are tolerant to environmental factors such as temperature extremes and solar radiation, which affect fungal persistence, efficacy, and shelf-life during storage and transportation. Existing entomopathogenic fungi may have varied control efficiency depending on fungal strain, environmental conditions, and target insect species. Specifically, whiteflies such as Bemisia tabaci cause serious damage to many crops and are difficult to control. There is a demand for biocontrol agents that are effective against these pests and survive environmental stresses in field conditions.
The invention identifies and characterizes a new I. javanica strain wf GA17 isolated from infected silverleaf whiteflies. This strain exhibits high virulence against homopteran pests including B. tabaci and aphids, as well as against curculionid pests such as pecan weevil and citrus root weevil, demonstrating equivalent or superior mortality compared to commercial strains including I. fumosorosea Apopka 97, B. bassiana GHA, and M. brunneum F52. Moreover, Ij wf GA17 shows superior tolerance relative to I. fumosorosea Apopka 97 to temperature extremes and similar tolerance to UV exposure, making it a promising candidate for biocontrol in agricultural applications.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes four main independent claims covering a biocontrol composition, a kit, and methods for reducing or killing insect pests using the entomopathogenic fungal strain Ij wf GA17. Each claim introduces inventive features related to composition formulation, delivery formats, carriers, and application methods.
Biocontrol composition with entomopathogenic fungal strain Ij wf GA17
A biocontrol composition comprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier and an effective amount of the entomopathogenic fungal strain Ij wf GA17 (NRRL accession No. 67939) that kills agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crop insect pests. The composition is provided as an emulsifiable concentrate or granule suited for spray application with or without dilution into a liquid.
Broad-spectrum pest control
The fungal strain Ij wf GA17 kills homopteran and curculionid pests as well as insect pests in orders Diptera, Coleoptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and mites.
Versatile composition forms and carriers
Compositions may be formulated as a liquid, powder, granule, suspension concentrate, flowable, dry flowable, dust, or water-dispersible granule. Agriculturally acceptable carriers include polymers, oils, waxes, emulsifiers, surfactants, binders, clays, fillers, water, agar, gelatin, lipophilic substances, plant seeds, or substances assisting application or adhesion of the fungi to plants or parts thereof.
Kit comprising fungal strain and application instructions
A kit comprising a first container with the entomopathogenic fungus Ij wf GA17, optionally a second container with agriculturally acceptable carrier, and instructions for applying the fungus to land, plants, or plant parts. The fungal strain in the kit is supplied as an emulsifiable concentrate or granule for spray application with or without dilution.
Methods for reducing pest populations
Methods include applying an effective amount of the biocontrol composition comprising Ij wf GA17 to land or crop plants or parts thereof to reduce the population of agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crop insect pests via broadcasting, spraying, or planting coated crop seeds with fungal spores or vegetative mycelium.
Methods for killing crop insect pests
Applying the biocontrol composition in an amount effective to colonize crop plants in a field and kill insect pests. Application modes include broadcasting or planting crop seeds coated with vegetative mycelium or spraying leaves or other plant parts with a liquid containing spores or vegetative mycelium of Ij wf GA17.
The claims cover novel biocontrol compositions and kits containing the entomopathogenic fungal strain Ij wf GA17, as well as methods of applying these compositions in various forms and modes to reduce or kill a broad spectrum of agricultural crop insect pests. The claimed compositions utilize an agriculturally acceptable carrier to enhance application and efficacy.
Stated Advantages
Reduced risk of resistance development compared to synthetic insecticides.
Potential for long-term persistence of the fungi in the environment.
Greater safety to humans and other non-target vertebrate or invertebrate organisms.
Ij wf GA17 exhibits superior or equivalent virulence compared to commercial strains against multiple insect pests.
Ij wf GA17 has better tolerance to environmental stresses such as temperature extremes and UV radiation compared to certain commercial strains, improving shelf-life and field efficacy.
Documented Applications
Use as a biocontrol agent to reduce or kill the population of insect pests infesting agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crops, including whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), aphids (Aphis gossypii), pecan weevil (Curculio caryae), citrus root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus), and other homopteran and curculionid pests.
Application methods include spraying biocontrol compositions onto crop plants or plant parts, broadcasting spores or vegetative mycelium onto land or plants, or planting crop seeds coated with the fungus for pest control.
Use in formulations such as liquid suspensions, powders, granules, emulsifiable concentrates, and water-dispersible granules suited for agricultural pest management.
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