“Lecanicillium Lecanii (Zimm.) Zare and Games” An Important Biocontrol Agent For The Management of Insect Pests – a Review

The Entomopathogenic fungus, Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) Zare and Games is one of the potential microbial biocontrol agents which have wide host range. The present review article contains the information related to its taxonomic position, mode of action, toxins and extracellular enzymes produced by the fungus. The various approaches for mass multiplication, carriers for development of commercial formulations and shelf life of formulated products of the fungus are reviewed and discussed. The factors like genetic variability, tritropic interaction, temperature, humidity, formulation base, inoculum level, isolation host, stage of insect host, compatibility with chemical pesticides which affect the performance of the fungus are presented and discussed. Response of L. lecanii to different insect pests, under protected conditions and filed conditions, and its effect on non targeted organisms are reviewed and discussed.