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Scientists Discover Promising Fungi to Combat Eucalyptus Snout Beetle Threat Eucalyptus forests covering over 20 million hectares worldwide are under threat from the Eucalyptus snout beetle, which can cause defoliation and wood volume loss. In the Iberian Peninsula, the beetle poses a significant risk and current biocontrol methods are not fully effective, making chemical interventions necessary at times. To address this issue, researchers have identified naturally occurring fungi as a potential solution for controlling the Eucalyptus snout beetle. These fungi were collected from infected beetles in their natural habitat in Colombia, making them well-suited for controlling the beetle in forest plantations. Scientists conducted thorough characterizations of the recovered fungi to ensure their suitability for developing a bio-pesticide. Factors such as insecticidal activity and UV-B radiation tolerance were assessed to ensure the fungi's effectiveness in large-scale production and resistance to environmental conditions. Among the studied fungi, Beauveria pseudobassiana and Metarhizium brunneum showed the highest virulence against the Eucalyptus snout beetle

B. pseudobassiana, in particular, was found to be well-suited for bio-pesticide production and demonstrated tolerance to tested environmental conditions. While the potential of these fungi to develop a bio-pesticide is promising, trials are still needed in Eucalyptus forests to confirm their efficacy. The researchers are currently seeking funding for this crucial testing phase. If successful, these fungi could also be utilized in other regions facing significant damage from the Eucalyptus snout beetle. This study, published in a journal, highlights the importance of finding innovative solutions to protect Eucalyptus forests and mitigate the risks posed by the Eucalyptus snout beetle.