Effects of Entomopathogenic Fungi on Natural Enemies: A Systematic Review of Their Use in Biological Control

Hasan  Albana; Nur Ain Izzati Mohd Zainudin; Noraini  Abu Bakar; Nanda  Saputra; Dashika Devi  Mailvaganam; Wan Mohd Syazwan; My Syahrawati

doi:10.55230/mabjournal.v54i4.3566

Authors

Hasan Albana Plant Protection Department, Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Andalas, West Sumatera, Indonesia
Nur Ain Izzati Mohd Zainudin
ainizzati@upm.edu.my
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection, Institute of Plantation Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Noraini Abu Bakar Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Nanda Saputra Universitas Andalas
Dashika Devi Mailvaganam Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Wan Mohd Syazwan Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
My Syahrawati Plant Protection Department, Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Andalas, West Sumatera, Indonesia

Keywords:

Integrated pest management, mortality, predator, parasitoid, sublethal effect

Abstract

This review evaluates the potential negative impacts of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) on natural enemies, a key component of sustainable pest management. Literature from Scopus and PubMed, covering 12 countries, 13 EPF species, and 33 natural enemy species, was classified according to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) scale. EPF often caused lethal effects, such as Lecanicillium muscarium killing the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae, as well as sublethal effects, including reduced reproduction, shortened longevity, decreased survival rates, and prolonged development. These outcomes varied depending on specific EPF–natural enemy interactions. The findings highlight the need for more field-based and long-term studies to ensure EPF applications do not compromise the ecological role of natural enemies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

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