Technological validation of a fungal bioinsecticide for biological control of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

• Grant number: 22/13700-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Agreement: SEBRAE-SP
• Principal Investigator: Larissa Galante Elias
• Grantee: Larissa Galante Elias
• Company: Decoy Tecnologia em Controle de Pragas S/A
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais ; Atividades veterinárias
• City: Ribeirão Preto
• Pesquisadores principais: Bárbara Gimenes de Castro ; Marcus Vinícius Wendel Jordão
• Associated researchers: Daniela Oliveira Carneiro ; Vanessa Mendes
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/04253-2 - Technological validation of a fungal bioinsecticide for biological control of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), BP.TT

Abstract

The lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus, Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is one of the main pests that affect the intensive poultry industry worldwide. Among the damage caused, there are weight loss of chickens, destruction of farm infrastructure, and transmission of viruses, fungi, and bacteria that cause diseases. The current control method for the beetle is based on chemical insecticides, which have worsened the resistance problems of this pest. The aforementioned control, in addition to being inefficient against the pest, is highly toxic to the environment and the poultry farmer. In this scenario, the use of biological agents has gained a lot of space as a promising alternative in the fight against A. diaperinus. Fungi are identified as effective control agents in the control of the lesser mealworm in the current scientific literature, however, there are no biological control products on the market aimed at this pest. Thus, this project aims to leverage the development of an effective alternative for the control of the lesser mealworm, through microbiological agents. This proposal meets the need for organic production, whose demand implies the development of a sustainable product for use in the integrated management of this beetle present on farms. Thus, we propose to validate in a technical-commercial way the development of a biological product that uses entomopathogenic fungi as control agents as an alternative to efficient and non-toxic treatment for the Brazilian broiler industry to control the lesser mealworm. The product consists of a formulation containing live fungal propagules in emulsifiable oil or powder. Based on this proposal, we expect to overcome the following challenges for product improvement, scaling, and market entry: Produce optimized propagules of the fungi used against A. diaperinus; Optimize the formulation, ensuring greater suitability in terms of storage, stability, and commercial distribution of fungal spores formulated with longer shelf life; Evaluate the effectiveness and management of formulations in the control of A. diaperinus in the field; Finally, obtain a scalable commercialization model, to make it possible to enter the target market using the distribution channels currently consolidated by the company. At the end of the project, we expect to obtain an effective product in the control of lesser mealworms, with a commercially adequate and safe formulation for use in broiler houses, without contaminating products from the poultry sector where biological control will be carried out, applicators, or the environment. (AU)