Are there any risks in using entomopathogenic fungi for pest control, withparticular reference to the bioactive metabolites of Metarhizium, Tolypocladium and Beauveria species?

Entomopathogenic fungi are promising alternatives to chemical insecticides. However, a major hurdle concerning the registration of these fungi as plan t protection agents is the possible toxicity of secreted metabolites, espec ially secondary metabolites. This review summarizes data on specific second ary metabolites (destruxins, efrapeptins, oosporein, beauvericin and beauve riolides) produced by the important genera Beauveria, Metarhizium and Tolyp ocladium. The quantities of secondary metabolites produced by these fungi i n vivo are usually much less than those secreted in nutrient rich liquid me dia. Methods and strategies are suggested which could standardize the risk assessment of fungal biological control agents.