Environment, Health, Safety & Security

Fungus discovered to kill sugar-beet root maggots

October 1, 2006 | By Chemical Engineering

Stefan Jaronoski, an insect pathologist at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory (Sidney, Mont.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6517-543) has discovered that a strain of the fungus Metarhizium anisoplia is effective in killing the sugar beet root maggot. Currently, chemical sprays, such as terbuforos, phorate and chlorpyrifos are used to combat this pest; without pesticide control, the maggots could destroy up to 40% of the beet crop in North Dakota, according to ARS. Jarnoski is currently trying to develop an optimal delivery system for the fungus.

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Fungus discovered to kill sugar-beet root maggots