PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
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2026
·
IF 4.2
Yongwen Lin,Jing Huang,Jingfeng Huang,Wenjie Yu,Komivi S Akutse,Sheng Lin
BACKGROUND The fungus-growing termite Odontotermes formosanus is a significant pest of hydraulic infrastructure, driving the need for targeted and environmentally sound control strategies. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is a promising biocontrol candidate against O. formosanus , but its efficacy in bait formulations can be reduced by termite repellence behavior induced by fungal volatiles. This study explored the potential of the plant-derived volatile longifolene to counteract this repellence or avoidance and enhance bait performance. RESULTS In laboratory olfactometer assays, dry conidia of B. bassiana repelled termite workers in a dose-dependent manner, whereas longifolene at 0.2–0.4 mmol mL −1 acted as a significant attractant. In toxic bait tests, incorporating longifolene reversed the repellency of a low conidial concentration of 1 × 10 7 conidia mL −1 , resulting in an attractant rate > 70%. This combined bait was also proved effective in field trials at reservoir sites, attracting significantly more workers than control baits. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that longifolene can mitigate the olfactory repellence or avoidance of B. bassiana conidia in baits by the termites, facilitating an ‘attract-and-infect’ approach. This strategy offers a novel, sustainable option for managing O. formosanus . © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
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BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2019
·Vol. 67
·期 3
·343-353
·
IF 1.559
Hai-Feng Hu,Hai-Yan Zhou,Gao-Ping Cheng,Ya-Ping Xue,Yuan-Shan Wang,Yu-Guo Zheng
R -2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionicacid (HPOPA) is a valuable intermediate for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure aryloxyphenoxypropionic acid herbicides. In this work, to improve the HPOPA biosynthesis by Beauveria bassiana ZJB16002 from the substrate R -2-phenoxypropionic acid (POPA), the original HPOPA producer B. bassiana ZJB16002 was subjected to physical mutagenesis with 137 Cs-γ irradiation and chemical mutagen N -methyl- N' -nitro- N -nitrasoguanidine (NTG) induced mutagenesis. The effects of different treatment doses of the mutagens on the lethal rate and positive mutation rate were investigated, and the results showed that the optimal 137 Cs-γirradiation dose and NTG concentration was 850 Gy and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Under these conditions, a mutant strain CCN-7 with the highest HPOPA production capacity was obtained through two rounds of 137 Cs-γ irradiation treatment followed by one round of NTG mutagenesis. At the substrate (POPA) concentration of 50 g/L, HPOPA titer of CCN-7 reached 36.88 g/L, which was 9.73-fold higher than the parental strain. The morphology of the wild-type and mutant strain was compared and the results might provide helpful information in exploration of the correlation of morphology and biochemical features of B. bassiana .
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ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
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2021
·
IF 8.071
Dun Jiang,Shuai Wu,Mingtao Tan,Hong Jiang,Shanchun Yan
Insect susceptibility to entomopathogenic microorganisms under heavy metal stress, as well as its regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility of gypsy moth larvae to Beauveria bassiana under cadmium (Cd) stress (at 3.248 or 44.473 mg Cd/kg fresh food), and reveal the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the Cd effect on the larval susceptibility to B. bassiana via combined transcriptome and proteome analyses. Our results showed that pre-exposure to Cd increased the susceptibility of gypsy moth larvae to B. bassiana , and there was an additive effect between Cd exposure and B. bassiana infection on the larval mortality. Under the Cd stress at low and high concentrations, 138 and 899 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), as well as 514 and 840 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, respectively. Immunotoxic effects induced by Cd exposure at the transcription level increased in a negative dose-response manner, with no immunity-related DEGs obtained at the low Cd concentration and a high number of immunity-related DEGs down-regulated at the high Cd concentration. In contrast, a potentially suppressed or stimulated trend in the Toll and Imd signaling pathway at protein level was revealed under low or high concentration of Cd treatment. Analysis of xenobiotics biodegradation-related pathways at both transcription and translation levels revealed that the gypsy moth larvae possessed an efficient homeostasis regulatory mechanism to the low-level Cd exposure, but exhibited a reduced xenobiotics biodegradation capability to the Cd stress at high levels. Together, these findings demonstrate Cd contamination promote the microbial-based biocontrol efficacy, and unravel the molecular regulatory network of heavy metal exposures that affects susceptibility of insects to pathogenic diseases.
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CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
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2026
·
IF 12.5
Chao-Peng Liang,Fang-Fang Liu,Zhi-Xiang Zhang,Dong-Mei Cheng,Xiang-Jun Rao
The WPU matrix promotes fungal growth, spore germination, and tolerance to UV, thermal, and chemical stresses. • WPU enhances conidial retention on maize leaves and improves insecticidal efficacy. • WPU-encapsulated conidia evade host immune recognition, reducing immune clearance and facilitating infection. • Transcriptomic analysis identified key genes and pathways associated with WPU-mediated growth promotion and UV resistance. Environmental fragility and host immune clearance remain major barriers to the field efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi in agricultural pest management. In this study, we developed a bio-based nanocarrier using self-assembled, castor oil-derived waterborne polyurethane (WPU) to encapsulate Beauveria bassiana conidia. The resulting WPU nanodispersion (∼34.8 nm) formed a stable coating on the conidial surface through interfacial self-assembly. Encapsulation significantly improved conidial germination and fungal development while enhancing tolerance to ultraviolet irradiation, thermal stress, and chemical stress. Maize phylloplane assays showed that the WPU matrix acted as an adhesion-promoting coating, substantially increasing rainfastness and environmental persistence. Functional assays and microscopic observations indicated reduced hemocyte recognition and phagocytic clearance of WPU-coated conidia, suggesting attenuated early immune elimination during infection. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of encapsulated and unencapsulated conidia under basal and UV-stress conditions revealed differential expression of genes associated with DNA repair, antioxidant defense, and cuticle-degrading enzyme activity, indicating stress-related transcriptional changes. Overall, these results suggest that castor oil-based WPU functions both as a protective coating and as a biologically interactive matrix. This study provides mechanistic insight into polymer-mediated enhancement of entomopathogenic fungi and offers a practical framework for developing high-performance, environmentally stable mycoinsecticide formulations. Download: Download high-res image (337KB) Download: Download full-size image
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Insects
·
2026
·Vol. 17
·期 6
·626
·
IF 3
Binglin Wang,Ziqun Guo,Wanying Shang,Liyuan Yang
This paper presents a laboratory study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana against the elm leaf beetle, Pyrrhalta aenescens . The pathogenicity of B. bassiana spore suspensions against eggs, larvae of all instars, pupae, and adults of P. aenescens was determined using a dipping method. A leaf-disk choice assay revealed that the larvae significantly avoided leaf disks treated with B. bassiana , and this avoidance behavior was positively correlated with the spore concentration. The study further investigated the physiological and immunological impacts of B. bassiana infection on the host. Data indicated that the fungal infection significantly inhibited larval growth in terms of body length and weight gain. Regarding immune responses, the infection led to a significant decrease in the total hemocyte count and triggered intense melanization and nodulation reactions, with immune responses being more pronounced in early-instar larvae. This study confirmed that B. bassiana has significant direct lethal and various sublethal effects on P. aenescens , with the most pronounced efficacy observed against early-instar larvae. Beauveria bassiana demonstrates considerable application potential in the biological control of P. aenescens , providing a scientific basis for developing environmentally friendly control technologies based on this fungus. To identify novel field control strategies against Pyrrhalta aenescens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and provide scientific support for its biocontrol in urban tree management, this study investigated the virulence of Beauveria bassiana against this pest under laboratory conditions, as well as its physiological and biochemical effects. Bioassays using the dipping method showed that B. bassiana was pathogenic to all developmental stages of P. aenescens , with the highest virulence observed against early-instar larvae (1st and 2nd instars). For these stages, corrected mortality and mycosis rate were positively correlated with conidial concentration, and the median lethal time (LT 50 ) was the shortest. In contrast, pupae and eggs exhibited the strongest resistance to fungal infection. In leaf-disk choice tests, larvae significantly preferred untreated leaves or those treated with low concentrations of B. bassiana , displaying a concentration-dependent repellent response to the fungus. Physiological measurements revealed that larval body length and weight gain were significantly inhibited following fungal exposure. Further analysis indicated that B. bassiana infection markedly reduced total hemocyte counts and triggered intense melanization and nodulation responses, particularly in younger larvae. Overall, these results suggest that B. bassiana has strong potential for the biological control of P. aenescens . Control measures targeting early-instar larvae are recommended for cost-effective management, providing a scientific basis for developing eco-friendly control technologies based on this entomopathogenic fungus.
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JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
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2026
·
IF 2.4
Yu Li,Zhi-Hao Yang,Yu-Tian Li,Long-Bin Zhang,Yi Guan
A novel β- N -acetylhexosaminidase (Hex2) affects fungal chitosan degradation. • Hex2 ensures proper accumulation of cell wall components in B. bassiana . • Positive role of Hex2 in fungal development and dimorphic transitions. • Negative contributions of Hex2 to oxidative-stress tolerance in B. bassiana . • Hex2 deletion prolongs median lethal time of insect larvae. Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana represent promising alternatives to chemical pesticides, yet their morphogenesis and environmental adaptation depend critically on dynamic cell wall remodeling. Despite the essential role of β- N -acetylhexosaminidase (Hex) in cell wall decomposition, its potential contributions to fungal biocontrol remain unexplored. Here, we identified and functionally dissected a previously uncharacterized homology, Hex2. Notably, Hex2 deficiency led to irregular cell wall structure by elevating chitin, N -glycan contents and protein N -/ O -glycosylation levels within it. In addition, Δ Hex2 mutant exhibited impaired development, including defects in sporulation, germination, and dimorphic transitions. These developmental defects were likely attributed to aberrant accumulation of cell wall components rather than insufficient ATP production. More interestingly, losing Hex2 enhanced fungal tolerance to oxidative stress cues though upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities. Despite heightened oxidative-stress resistance, Δ Hex2 mutant displayed significantly attenuated virulence against Galleria mellonella larvae, indicating that cell-wall disturbance and developmental defects might constitute the predominant causes of reduced pathogenicity. These findings provide the first insights into the multifaceted roles of intracellular β- N -acetylhexosaminidase Hex2 in B. bassiana , identifying a rational target for engineering insecticides with remained or even enhanced pesticidal efficacy. Download: Download high-res image (244KB) Download: Download full-size image
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JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
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2021
·
IF 2.841
Long-Bin Zhang,Ting-Ting Qiu,Yi Guan,Zhi-Hong Huang,Xiu-Yun Ye
Beauveria bassiana is a critical entomopathogenic fungus for pest biocontrol, whose efficiency depends on fungal development and stress resistance. Unlike its revealed location in plasma membrane patches in other organisms, B. bassiana Sur7 specifically localized in vacuoles. This vacuolar Sur7 was previously demonstrated to affect stress tolerance, hyphal development and virulence. There, however, remain more mechanistic details to be explored. In this study, transcriptomics and metabolomics were applied to investigate the mechanism of vacuolar Sur7. Analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics displayed many differentially expressed genes and abundant metabolites in response to Sur7 loss, respectively. Together with genes associated with vacuolar biofunction (including transportation and hydrolysis), the altered metabolites contributed to cell wall construction and stress resistance. Particularly, an N -acetylglucosamine-associated Brg1 / Nrg1 pathway was enriched and partially affected by Sur7. Absence of Sur7 changed the expression level of Brg1 / Nrg1 pathway-related transcript factors, which interfered with downstream phenotype of sporulation. In addition, Sur7 was involved in the accumulation of sphingoid bases, which may affect sphingolipid-related signaling pathway. Although experimental evidence is further required, our studies provide a preliminary framework for future exploring the regulatory mechanism of Sur7, and give a new version of metabolic agency connecting Sur7 and downstream signaling pathway.
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CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
·
2026
·Vol. 23
·期 5
·e03649
·
IF 2.9
Xu Qiu,Lihang Jiao,Jingjing Xue,Guangxin Xu,Shen Yang,Xixiang Tang
Deep-sea microorganisms constitute a valuable source of structurally diverse natural products. In this study, an extracellular polysaccharide was isolated from the deep-sea fungus Beauveria bassiana T2-2 by ultrasonic-assisted hot water extraction followed by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, yielding a fraction designated BPS-2. Physicochemical characterization revealed that BPS-2 is a glucose-rich polysaccharide (>90% molar ratio) with a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 3.62 kDa and moderate levels of uronic acid (2.84%) and sulfate (3.15%). In vitro enzyme assays demonstrated that BPS-2 inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC 50 value of 1.3 × 10 −4 M for α-glucosidase. Within the tested range, its inhibitory activity was stronger than that of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) but weaker than that of acarbose. In a palmitic acid-induced insulin-resistant HepG2 model, BPS-2 significantly enhanced glucose consumption and increased 2-Deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl) amino]-D-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake by 44.9% at 0.75 mg/mL without detectable cytotoxicity, suggesting a potential role in improving cellular glucose utilization under insulin-resistant conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing hypoglycemic-related activity of extracellular polysaccharides derived from deep-sea B. bassiana . These findings provide initial evidence linking the structural features of BPS-2 to glucose metabolism–associated bioactivity, while further studies are required to clarify detailed structural characteristics and underlying molecular mechanisms.
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PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 4
Long-Bin Zhang,Yu-Tian Li,Zhi-Hao Yang,Zhou Cui,Yi Guan,Guang-Hui Liu
Entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is widely utilized in agricultural pest control, with its efficacy largely dependent on the precise architecture of the cell wall. The fungal cell wall is composed of diverse glycoproteins and polysaccharides, the synthesis of which is typically initiated by UDP-acetylglucosamine transferase, a complex comprising Alg14 and Alg13. However, the biochemical and physiological functions of Alg14 in entomopathogenic fungi have been barely explored. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel Alg14 homologue in B. bassiana , which was demonstrated with the localization to the endoplasmic reticulum and interaction with Alg13. Deletion of Alg14 transcriptionally impacted on pathways of amino sugar metabolism and N -glycan biosynthesis in B. bassiana . Consequently, Δ Alg14 showed 55 % and 11 % reduction in N - and O -glycosylation in cell wall proteins, respectively, as well as significant decreases in chitin and glycans. These changes compromised cell wall integrity and reduced fungal tolerance to cell wall stress. Beyond its role in cell wall architecture, Alg14 also negatively regulated energy metabolism, referring to NADH/NAD + ratio and ATP production, thereby affecting fungal development and morphological transitions. Agl14 further impacted the quality, antioxidant capacity, and virulence of B. bassiana spores. Both transcriptomic and experimental analyses revealed an Alg14 -modulated glycosylation network that is essential for fungal physiology. This study provides novel insights into the multifaceted role of Alg14 in B. bassiana and offers a theoretical foundation for engineering strategies aimed at maintaining and/or enhancing the efficacy of biopesticides for practical agricultural applications.
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Journal of Fungi
·
2026
·Vol. 12
·期 6
·396
·
IF 4.3
Jie Cheng,Zhaoan Shao,Zhenxia Zhu,Shuohan Wang,Donghui Gong,Chengshuai Xu,Chaobo Zhang,Xiang Xiu,Yongcheng Ding
Beauveria bassiana is one of the most widely used entomopathogenic fungi in insect pest management, and the need for rapid and reproducible quantification of fungal conidia to monitor process performance and to quality control products during biopesticide production is imperative. Conventional methodologies, such as hemocytometer counting and plate dilution assays, are time consuming, laborious and subject to significant operator-to-operator variability. Although optical methods have been increasingly explored for estimating fungal propagule concentrations, species-specific calibration, suspension stability, wavelength selection, and independent validation remain important for routine applications. In this study, we developed an agar–water-assisted UV–visible spectrophotometric calibration protocol for estimating conidial concentration using B. bassiana as a model entomopathogenic fungus. A 0.1% ( w / v ) agar–water suspension was used in order to get homogeneous, stable dispersions of conidia for optical measurements. Calibration of conidia concentration was accomplished through reliable optical density (OD) values measured at wavelengths 500 nm, 530 nm, 560 nm, 600 nm, and 650 nm. Linear correlations were observed across the tested wavelengths, with the highest goodness of fit for the model at 650 nm (R 2 = 0.9907). The resulting regression equation, conidia concentration (×10 7 mL −1 ) = 4.184 × OD 650 —0.12450, has been independently verified with separate conidia batches, resulting in acceptable relative errors ranging from 13.78% and 18.98%. This agar–water-assisted OD 650 calibration model provides a practical and species-specific tool for the standardization of conidial dosages in biopesticide research, facilitating the reliable evaluation and application of entomopathogenic fungi within integrated pest management systems.
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FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST
·
2015
·Vol. 98
·期 4
·1148-1156
·
IF 0.997
Jun-Nan Ding,Hui-Hui Zhang,De-Fu Chi
In recent years, biological methods have been used widely for controlling stem-boring pests in forests. In this study, the larvae of Xylotrechus rusticus (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were infected with 4 strains of 2 species of Beauveria (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). Larval detoxifying and protective enzyme activities were measured at different times after infection. The results showed significant differences in the pathogenicity of the 4 strains. The most virulent strain, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv) Vuill. strain BbCC01, caused 93.3% mortality, with an estimated LT50 of 4.69 d. The detoxifying and protective enzyme activities in larvae infected with strain BbCC01 changed significantly. To resist the infection, the activities of the detoxifying enzymes (carboxylesterase, glutathione S-transferase, and acetylcholinesterase) first increased and then slowly decreased. The activities of the protective enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase) showed a similar trend. The enzyme activities peaked at 72 to 96 h post-infection. In this study, the B. bassiana strain BbCC01 proved to exhibit high virulence towards X. rusticus larvae. This research provides important information regarding the biological control of X. rusticus and elucidates the patterns of detoxifying and protective enzyme activities in the susceptible larvae.
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