Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch

Guest: Julie GraeschBiological Scientist | IPM SpecialistCurrently with BioWorksFormerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State University

Topics Covered:

What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually means

How fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pests

Differences between blastospores and conidia

Why formulation and environmental conditions matter

Common reasons fungal biocontrol applications fail

Preventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungi

Integrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategy

Key Takeaways:

Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdowns

Understanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomes

Blastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulations

Successful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays

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