Castrejón-Antonio Jesús Enrique, Tamez-Guerra Patricia
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Colima, Autopista Colima-Manzanillo km 40, La Estación, Tecomán 28930, Colima, Mexico.
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Pedro de Alba S/N, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Insects. 2025 Jun 10;16(6):615. doi: 10.3390/insects16060615.
Ambrosia beetles, known for their symbiotic relationship with fungi cultivated within the tissues of host trees, have become significant pests, particularly when they serve as vectors for pathogenic fungi such as . Given the regulatory and environmental constraints for chemical application as a tool for their control, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) represent a promising pest management alternative. This review presents an overview of bioassays assessing the pathogenicity and virulence of EPF against ambrosia beetles. Most studies have been performed in vivo (artificial diet) under laboratory conditions, focusing on exotic species and testing EPF genera such as , , , and . However, variations in inoculation methods, environmental conditions, and fungal formulations, have led to diverse results. In addition, the complex biology of these insects, particularly their dependence on symbiotic fungi, represents significant methodological challenges. Field trials (in situ bioassays) are still scarce, and there is a need to move toward standardized protocols and more objective experimental models that consider not only insects' behavior but also ecological factors. Bridging this gap is essential for successfully implementing EPF-based strategies to assess ambrosia beetles' biocontrol.
食菌小蠹以其与在寄主树木组织内培育的真菌的共生关系而闻名，已成为重要害虫，尤其是当它们作为诸如……等致病真菌的传播媒介时。鉴于将化学药剂作为控制它们的工具存在监管和环境限制，昆虫病原真菌（EPF）是一种有前景的害虫管理替代方法。本综述概述了评估昆虫病原真菌对食菌小蠹致病性和毒力的生物测定。大多数研究是在实验室条件下于体内（人工饲料）进行的，重点关注外来物种并测试诸如……、……、……和……等昆虫病原真菌属。然而，接种方法、环境条件和真菌制剂的差异导致了不同的结果。此外，这些昆虫复杂的生物学特性，尤其是它们对共生真菌的依赖，带来了重大的方法学挑战。田间试验（原位生物测定）仍然很少，需要朝着标准化方案和更客观的实验模型发展，这些模型不仅要考虑昆虫的行为，还要考虑生态因素。弥合这一差距对于成功实施基于昆虫病原真菌的策略来评估食菌小蠹的生物防治至关重要。
