Insects insect pathogens

Schmidt, T. M., Kopecky, K., and Nealson, K. H. (1989). Bioluminescence of the insect pathogen Xenorhabdus luminescens. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 55 2607-2612. 

Gotz, P., Boman, A. and Boman, H.G. (1981) Interactions between insect immunity and an insect-pathogenic nematode with symbiotic bacteria. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, series B, 212, 333—350. 

Lacey LA, Frutos R, Kaya HK, Vails PR Insect pathogens as biological control agents. Do they have a future Bio Cont. 2001 21 230-248. 

SH insect pathogenic fungi - Verticillium hemipterigenum Vertihemipteiiides A and B - diketopiperazines with antimicrobiai and cytotoxic activities 103... 

Many aspects of nutrient-allelochemical interactions are probably key factors In the suitability of a given plant species as a host for a particular Insect. At best, this may be a less than optimal situation for the insect, since even what appears to be a susceptible plant Is likely to be fairly well defended against Insect and pathogen attack. If the plant contains the essential nutrients for the Insect, but the utilization of these nutrients Is blocked In some way by allelochemlcs or by too much or too little water, then growth may be slowed. If, due to behavioral modifiers, the Insect will not feed on the plant, then plant nutrients are not available to the Insect. 

There are a number of possibilities for using plant secondary chemistry to control herbivory in crop plants. One possibility is to select for insect resistant lines and though it has been done in only a few cases, select for specific allomones. There are, however, some potential problems with this approach. There is a cost for the production of the secondary compounds which may be useful for defense ( ). Insect resistant soybean cultivars produce lower yields of seeds and accumulate nitrogen at a slower rate than insect susceptible varieties in the absence of herbivores 3 ). Conversely, varieties of crop plants selected for high yield are often more susceptible to insects, pathogens, and weeds (35). 

A number of fungi are excellent insect pathogens. Some have been commercialised and others are under development and these find a place in insect control in covered or protected crops and in some situations for the control of insect swarms. 

Isaka M, Kittakoop P, Kirtikara K, Hywel-Jones NL, Thebtaranonth Y (2005) Bioactive Substances from Insect Pathogenic Fungi. Acc Chem Res 38 813... 

Seephonkai P, Isaka M, Kittakoop P, Boonudomlap U, Thebtaranonth Y (2004) A Novel Ascochlorin Glycoside from the Insect Pathogenic Fungus Verticillium hemipterigenum BCC 2370. J Antibiot 57 10... 

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