Conidial penetration: The microscopic conidial spores of the Lecanicillium lecanii are slimy and attach to the cuticle of the insect. Hyphae from the germinating spores are produced that penetrate the insects integument and destroy the internal contents of the insect.
Enzyme production: Lecanicillium lecanii mycelia produce an octacyclodepsipeptide toxin called bassianolide that consists of four molecules each of D-hydroxyisovaleric acid and L-Nmethylleucine which have insecticidal properties. The fungus produces other insecticidal toxins such as dipicolinic acid. These toxins weaken the hosts immune system (of insect) and aid in eventually killing it.
Growth: Once inside, Lecanicillium lecanii replicates and consumes the insects internal contents eventually killing it. The fungus eventually grows out of the insects cuticle and starts sporulating. Infected insects appear as white to yellowish cottony particles. Lecanicillium lecanii infects the insect on contact and does not need to be consumed by the host to cause infection.
Benefits:
- Mealikil effectively controls economically important sucking pests such as mealy bugs, aphids, thrips , jassids , whitefly and leaf hoppers for a wide range of crops.
- Pathogenic pest load reduction leads to improved plant health and thereby increased crop productivity.
- Mealikil can be used as an effective component in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes, thereby leading to a reduction in use of chemical pesticides and creating a safer environment.
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