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Beauveria bassiana: A Natural Warrior Against Crop Pests

In modern agriculture, where sustainability and eco-friendliness are key, Beauveria bassiana stands out as a powerful ally for farmers. It is not a chemical pesticide, but a naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus – meaning it infects and kills insects.

What is Beauveria bassiana?

Beauveria bassiana is a beneficial fungus commonly found in soil. It acts as a biological insecticide by infecting and eliminating harmful crop pests. Once the fungal spores (called conidia) come into contact with an insect’s body, they penetrate the outer shell, grow inside, and eventually kill the insect.

Which pests does it control?

Beauveria bassiana is effective against a wide range of crop-damaging insects, including:

• Whiteflies

• Aphids

• Thrips

• Mealybugs

• Caterpillars (e.g., Helicoverpa, Spodoptera)

• Beetles

• Termites

This makes it suitable for use in vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, pulses, and field crops.

How does it work?

1. Contact and attachment: Fungal spores land on and attach to the insect's outer surface.

2. Penetration: The fungus produces enzymes that dissolve the insect's cuticle and enter the body.

3. Multiplication: Inside the insect, the fungus spreads by consuming nutrients.

4. Insect death: The insect dies within 3 to 7 days depending on environmental conditions.

5. Spore release: The fungus may emerge from the cadaver, releasing new spores into the environment.

Benefits of Beauveria bassiana

• Completely natural and biodegradable

• Safe for humans, livestock, and pollinators

• Leaves no harmful chemical residues

• Suitable for organic farming

• Reduces risk of pest resistance when used in rotation

Usage tips

• Apply when pest populations are still low, as a preventive or early-stage treatment

• Maintain high humidity (above 60%) to improve fungal activity

• Avoid mixing with chemical fungicides, which can kill the fungus

• Apply during early morning or evening to avoid damage from sunlight (UV rays)

Formulations available

• Wettable powder (WP)

• Liquid formulations (1 x 10⁸ to 1 x 10⁹ CFU/ml)

• Granules for soil treatment