Stick insects (Image courtesy of the National Institute of Biological Resources)
SEOUL, May 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The National Institute of Biological Resources, an affiliate of South Korea’s Ministry of Environment, has announced the potential use of a fungus to reduce the recent mass outbreaks of stick insects in the greater Seoul metropolitan area, with findings showing that over 90% of the insects were killed by an entomopathogenic fungus known as Metarhizium phasmatodeae.
The institute revealed on May 9 that it is pursuing further research into this eco-friendly pest control method after discovering the fungus, which bears its name from the order Phasmatodea, to which stick insects belong.
A previously unrecorded species in South Korea, this fungus infiltrates the exoskeleton of insects, proliferating inside their bodies and causing mortality through its unique mechanism.
Stick insects, with adult lengths of approximately 10 centimeters and slender bamboo-like bodies in shades of brown and green, were originally found occasionally in deep forests.
However, since 2020, their swarming outbreaks in the Seoul metropolitan area have led to concerns as they devour tree foliage, earning them the label of pests.
Global warming is believed to have contributed to the surge in stick insect populations.
Since 2022, the National Institute of Biological Resources has been collaborating with professor Jung Jong-kook’s team from Kangwon National University to explore eco-friendly methods for managing insect outbreaks.
Their research has revealed that the high temperatures, humidity, and precipitation levels during the summer months can increase the activity of the Metarhizium phasmatodeae fungus, leading to higher mortality rates among stick insects.
The findings, which highlight the potential of the fungus as an important regulator in ecosystems, are set to be published in the international journal Frontiers in Microbiology this month.
Additionally, the institute has filed a patent application for the fungal strain and plans to pursue further research into its practical application for eco-friendly pest control.
“We will continue to analyze the causes behind insect outbreaks in South Korea and explore nature-friendly methods to regulate population levels, minimizing inconveniences to the public,” stated Seo Min-hwan, the director of the National Institute of Biological Resources.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
