AgriFutures: Mycopesticide Control of Lesser Mealworm in Commercial Chicken Sheds
Opportunity for
- Australian and international commercial partners interested in managing the commercialisation of a mycopesticide for the control of lesser mealworm in broiler sheds.
Opportunity for
- We are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Australian and international commercial partners interested in managing the commercialisation of a mycopesticide for the control of lesser mealworm in broiler sheds.
Opportunity description
Industry challenge
Lesser mealworm (also known as darkling or litter beetle) is a major pest in commercial chicken sheds in Australia and overseas where it occurs in vast numbers in the flock’s bedding litter. The pest carries a number of avian and human pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli and tunnels into the shed floor and insulation causing extensive damage. Management strategies for lesser mealworm typically entail spraying chemical insecticides on the internal lower walls and floors of the sheds before the bedding litter is placed.
Variable control efficacy, insecticide resistance development, and a limited number of replacement chemicals has prompted researcher’s the world-over to investigate novel control agents for lesser mealworm. The most promising novel control agent for lesser mealworm has been entomopathogenic fungi. Research by Queensland DPI and AgriFutures Australia has developed mycopesticides for controlling lesser mealworm based on the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, an agent with no history of engendering resistance development in insects or pathogenicity to mammals and birds. Field results confirm that a mycopesticide product would provide another control option for lesser mealworm, while reducing chemical insecticide usage and residues in the environment.
Current opportunity
We are seeking Expressions of Interest from interested parties to manage the commercialisation of a mycopesticide based on the entomopathogenic fungus B bassiana.
Management of lesser mealworm remains an ongoing challenge for chicken meat industries around the world as control options become obsolete due to insecticide resistance development and stricter regulatory controls. The development of a biocontrol options in the form of a B. bassiana-based mycopesticide would be a welcome addition to the decreasing suite of control agents available to the industry. Recent results obtained illustrate the progress that has been made but also highlight there is still more work to do before registration can occur.
Submit your EOI by enquiring now.
Potential other applications
A significant research effort has already been made in characterising the efficacy and safety of a B. bassiana strain. Consequently, it is recommended that the strain be screened against a variety of pests, especially high-economic cost pests such as fall army worm, fire ants, and banana bunch pests. Obtaining efficacy data for these types of pests could diversify the strains application and enhances the attractiveness of the mycopesticide to commercial partners looking to access multiple markets.
IDEASTOIMPACT
"RDC"