Description :

Predators, parasitoids, fungi and other beneficial organisms can be used for the biocontrol of insect pests. The fungus Verticillium lecanii is one of the members of Deuteromycetes and it can be used for crop protection.

Verticillium Lecanii, a Bio-insecticide is used against sucking pest in an entomopathogenic fungus to kill the sucking pests. These fungi invade insects by penetrating their cuticle or skin and rapidly multiply throughout the body.

Death of insects is caused by tissue destruction and toxins produced by the fungi. Verticillium wilt, caused by two species of soil-borne fungi-Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium albo-atrum, infects more than 200 species of plants, including many vegetables. Vertcillium albo-atrum prefers cooler soils while Verticillium dahliae can become a problem in greenhouse vegetable production. Sometimes, both species will occur in the same field.

Verticillium can be used against soft bodied pests. This is effective against aphids, jassids, thirps, white flies, mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, leaf webber, green semi lopper, flower webber, leaf minors, leaf hoppers, pod fly etc. Verticillium wilt is caused by a soil-borne fungus.

Enzyme & Metabolite action : Verticillium lecanii mycelia produces toxins which have insecticidal properties. These toxins weaken the hosts immune system (of insect) and aid in eventually killing it. Verticillium lecanii is developed by a unique process wherein metabolites of Verticillium lecanii are extracted and added back to the spores and formulated. Thus metabolites work effectively in high temperature and low humidity conditions and spores multiply and work in high humidity and low temperature conditions.

Growth : Once inside, Verticillium lecanii replicates and consumes the insects’ internal contents eventually killing it. The fungus eventually grows out of the insect’s cuticle and starts sporulating. Infected insects appear as white to yellowish cottony particles. Verticillium lecanii infects the insect on contact and does not need to be consumed by the host to cause infection.

Environment factors : Verticillium lecanii is developed by a unique process wherein metabolites of Verticillium lecanii are extracted and added back to the spores and formulated. Thus metabolites work effectively in high temperature and low humidity conditions and spores multiply and work in high humidity and low temperature conditions.