The development of entomopathogenic fungi has received increasing interest as part of integrated pest management strategies as biocontrol agents. It is reasonable to assume that entomopathogenic fungi might produce secondary metabolites modulating juvenile hormone for their survival against defense mechanisms of host insects. In this study, acetone extracts of 189 entomopathogenic fungi cultured on unpolished rice medium were screened for their juvenile hormone antagonist (JHAN) activities using the yeast-two hybrid system. Among 14 extracts showing JHAN activities, extract of the F-145 showed high level of insecticidal activities against both Plutella xylostella and Aedes albopictus. This isolate was identified as Lecanicillium attenuatum. These results suggested that the Lecanicillium attenuatum could be useful for development of eco-friendly insecticides.

• Ra Mi Woo(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jong Hoon Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jae Young Choi(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Dong Hwan Park(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Min Gu Park(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Bo Ram Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jae Su Kim(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chonbuk National University)
• Soo Dong Woo(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chungbuk National University)
• Yeon Ho Je(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)