First Record of As a Broad-spectrum Entomopathogenic Fungus That Provides Resistance Against Phytopathogens and Insect Pests by Colonization of Plants

Introduction: is known as a pathogenic fungus that infects humans and plants but has never been reported as an entomophagous fungus (EPF) that can provide other functions as an endotype.

Methods: A strain of EPF was isolated and identified from diseased larvae of in a soybean field and designated AnS1Gzl-1. Pathogenicity of the strain toward various insect pests was evaluated, especially the ability to colonize plants and induce resistance against phytopathogens and insect pests.

Results: The isolated EPF strain AnS1Gzl-1 was identified as ; it showed strong pathogenicity toward five insect pests belonging to Lepidoptera and Hemiptera. Furthermore, the strain inhibited the growth of , a causal agent of soil-borne plant disease. It colonized plants as an endophyte via root irrigation with a high colonization rate of 90%, thereby inducing plant resistance against phytopathogen infection, and disrupting the feeding selectivity of larvae.

Discussion: This is the first record of a natural infection of on insects. has the potential to be used as a dual biocontrol EPF because of its ability to not only kill a broad spectrum of insect pests directly but also induce resistance against phytopathogens via plant colonization.