The impact of biotechnology on hyphomycetous fungal insect biocontrol agents.

The potential for the control of insect pests by entomopathogenic fungi has been touted for decades, if not centuries. Only recently have advances in biotechnology provided the tools for indepth analysis of the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and host death at the molecular level. This review outlines the current state of knowledge regarding the mode of infection and targets several key components that are amenable to improvement via biotechnology. Realization of the considerable economic potential of fungal bioinsecticides can occur only through a combined and coordinated effort involving fundamental science, formulation technology and field applications.