Agency:

Agricultural Research Service

July 7, 1995

The invention relates to methods and compositions for controlling soft-bodied pests like the sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The whitefly is a phloem-feeding insect which is resistant to chemical insecticides, has few natural enemies and attacks more than 600 plants. The fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus is effective as a Biocontrol agent but previous attempts to culture these spores directly using liquid culture fermentation have yielded unstable spores which perish during drying. The invention utilizes an inexpensive nitrogen source such as casein, yeast extract, soy protein, cotton seed protein or hydrolyzed corn protein to culture spoors which are tolerant of desiccation and have an acceptable shelf life.

Mark A. Jackson

RM. 3301

1818 N. University St.

Peoria, IL 61604-3999

(309) 681-6283; (309) 681-6686-fax

Industry Keywords:

biocontrol agent