곤충병원성 곰팡이 Zoophthora radicans (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae)가 혹명나방, 배추좀나방, 복숭아혹진딧물과 진딧물 인 미분류 1종을 감염시키는 것을 발견하였다. 이들은 전라북도 진안, 김제, 익산에서 수집되었고, 6월과 9월에 관찰이 가능하였다. 이 균에 감염 된 혹명나방은 진안에서 수집되었고, 감염율이 46%에 달하였다. 감염된 곤충 충체로부터 균을 분리하여 Sabouraud dextrose agar with yeast extract (SDAY)를 이용하여 인공배양을 시도하였다. 그 결과, 20~28°C가 인공배양을 위한 최적온도로 판단되며, SDAY보다 SDAY supplemented with egg yolk and milk (SDAY-EM)에서 발육이 보다 양호하였다. 이 곰팡이는 자연적으로 발생함을 포장에서 확인할 수 있었다.

Entomopathogenic fungi infect some arthropod pest and have been used for biological control. Some entomopathogenic fungi have high potential in insect pest management worldwide, and most of researches were given to Hypocreales order of Ascomycota, but little in Zygomycota, such as Entomophthorales in our country. We have identified some species belonging to Entomophthorales and investigated cultural features and ecology of Entomophaga aulicae. E. aulicae in sweet potato fields, where Aedia leucomelas was a dominant pest, had caused epizootics from 2002–2005. E. aulicae-infected A. leucomelas larva were mostly found from August to October and its occurrence was significantly related to the precipitation. E. aulicae were mainly observed in dead A. leucomelas larval populations (infection rate = 41.3% in 2002), rather than other lepidopteran pests. E. aulicae was morphologically and genetically identified and its virulence was characterized in laboratory conditions. Additionally, pest infection by Zoophthora radicans, Neozygites floridana and some Entomophthorales have been identified. On the basis with this information, we need research to predict the prevalence and to develop biological control agent using Entomophthorales including E. aulicae that contribute to regulation of host populations.