Entomopathogenic fungi have been widely studied for their potential as the effective biological control agents. They produce variety of secondary metabolites with insecticidal activities, and it is reasonable to assume that entomopathogenic fungi might produce secondary metabolites modulating juvenile hormone for their survival against defense mechanisms of host insect. In this study, Beauveria spp. and Lecanicillium spp. strains cultured on unpolished rice medium were extracted with acetone. Both extracts showed juvenile hormone antagonist (JHAN) activities in the yeast-two hybrid β-galactosidase assay. In addition, they showed high insecticidal activities against Aedes albopictus, Plutella xylostella, and Ostrinia furnacalis. These results suggested that secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi could be useful for development of novel IGR insecticides.

• Jong Hoon Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Ra Mi Woo(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Min Gu Park(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jae Young Choi(Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Seok-Hee Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Ying Fang(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Dong Hwan Park(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Woo Jin Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jae Su Kim(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chonbuk National University)
• Yeon Ho Je(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)