Entomopathogenic fungi are natural enemies of insects and contribute to the regulation of their host populations. Numerous fungal species have been isolated from their respective hosts or environmental conditions such as soil and used as pest control agents for a long time in many countries. Recently, the isolation and characterization of native entomopathogenic fungi are essential for gaining insight into the naturally occurring fungal biodiversity of a specific region and to providing a pool of potential biological control agents for pest control purposes. Moreover, exotic strains of entomopathogenic fungi that have been developed for use as pest control agents in a different country could be ineffective due to strain and environmental differences. Therefore, investigating the occurrence and distribution of native entomopathogenic fungi is critical for their use as pest control agents in a given location. Here, we report the isolation, distribution and characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from soils in Korea to establish a pool.
During infection against insects, entomopathogenic fungi produce various enzymes, protein toxins and secondary metabolites to overcome host defenses and ultimately kill the host, and to defend host resources against competing pathogens and saprophytes. These metabolites exhibit a wide variety of insecticidal, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, and they have been suggested as potential candidates for the development of new bioactive agents. Entomopathogenic fungi isolated from Korean soils were also evaluated for these additional roles besides pathogenicity.

• Soo Dong Woo(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chungbuk National University)
• Tae Young Shin(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chungbuk National University)
• Sung Min Bae(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chungbuk National University)