1) Entomopathogenic fungi were collected from the root balls of various plant species found in extensively managed Swiss meadows. 76% of collected plants contained entomopathogenic fungi. 2) Five isolated entomopathogenic fungi strains were shown to effectively combat common soil pests like grubs and crane fly larvae. 3) Testing also showed that the most effective isolated fungi strains were capable of combating cabbage fly infestations in radish plants, keeping plants healthy while untreated plants were entirely devoured.

1. Biological control with insecticidal fungi
New applications of entomopathogenic fungi against soil
pests such as crane fly larvae and grubs

2. Combating grubs
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Grubs are larvae of the cockchafer. In
addition to the roots of grass and many
herbs, they feed off the roots of ligneous
plants. This causes major damage in
grasslands and tree nurseries and on golf
courses.

3. Combating crane fly larvae
Crane fly larvae pull young plants (and
especially grass) into the soil to eat them.
In large numbers they can cause major
damage to meadows and sometimes even
potted plants.
(Photo: Koppert Biological Systems)
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4. Entomopathogenic fungi
Entomopathogenic fungi can kill insects and
are therefore deployed in biological control
in agriculture and horticulture.
Right: a grub affected by
entomopathogenic fungi.
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5. Collecting fungi
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To find entomopathogenic fungi we collected plants with root ball from extensively managed
meadows in Switzerland. These meadows offer a wide variety of plant species. It was shown
that 76% of the collected plants contained entomopathogenic fungi. The fungi were
collected from the root environment of the plants.

6. Collecting fungi
Each plant variety was dug out with the
root ball and transported in individual bags
for research into the presence of
entomopathogenic fungi.
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7. Isolated entomopathogenic fungi
Various entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from the root ball of the herbs in Switzerland
(see images above). Five fungi isolates were shown to effectively combat grubs and crane fly
larvae.
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Yorkshire fog (Holcus
lanatus)
Meadow sage
(Salvia pratensis)
Upright brome
(Bromus erectus)
Brown knapweed
(Cntaurea jacea)
Common dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
English plantain (Plantago
lanceolata)
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A12
C17C3A9 C25A9 C25A12A5

8. Results of combating grubs
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9. Result of combating crane fly larvae
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10. Combating cabbage fly in radish
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The most effective isolates were also tested against the cabbage fly. The image above shows
a test setup with radish plants infected with cabbage fly eggs and treated with various
entomopathogenic fungus isolates.

11. Combating cabbage fly in radish
The plant on the left has been entirely
devoured by the cabbage fly. The left jar
shows adult cabbage flies.
The plant on the right remained healthy due
to protection from one of the tested fungus
isolates.
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12. Combating cabbage fly in radish
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