Mycotal Beneficial Fungi

Scientific name:  Akanthomyces muscarius Ve6.

Scientific understanding of the fungus evolved, leading to a reclassification from its previously widely known names Verticillium lecanii to Lecanicillium muscarium, and then to its current name, Akanthomyces muscarius. The strain Ve6 refers to a specific isolate of this species.

Akanthomyces muscarius Ve6 is a beneficial entomopathogenic fungus species with a worldwide distribution, used as a residue free bioinsecticide used in organic integrated pest management to control agricultural pests like whiteflies, thrips and aphids in protected cultivation environments such as greenhouses and permanent polytunnels. Blastospores, single celled asexual fungal spores that form through budding, are used because of their rapid germination and ability to proliferate within a host.

The fungus is spread on crops including vegetables like cucurbits and solanaceae, strawberries, ornamental plants and nursery trees. Insects are infected when they come into contact with the sticky fungal spores which then grow and invade the pest host body, thus the internal organs are consumed, leading to their death. 
Specificity allows the fungus to target pests while being safe for beneficial insects making Akanthomyces muscarius Ve6 environmental friendly and adaptive to sustainable regenerative farming.

Use for:

• Biocontrol of whitefly.
• Has a side effect on aphids and thrips.
• Vegetables, ornamentals, nursery trees and soft fruit in protected cultivation.
• Authorized to be used in cucumber, sweet pepper, tomato, bean, lettuce, gherkin, aubergine, courgette, onion, leek, strawberry, melon, ornamentals, arboricultural crops, leafy vegetables, brassica vegetables, lettuce, beans without pods, radish, carrot, herbs and parsley.
• Leaves no hazardous residue.
• Development of pest resistance is very unlikely.

Mode of action:

After spraying Mycotal, the spores germinate and grow to hyphae that penetrate the pest body cavity. Here they proliferate and destroy the tissues. The fungus then grows through the insect cuticle and produces spores on the outside of the cadaver, which may spread the infection to other vulnerable pests. Mycotal is effective through direct contact, and under the right environmental conditions, kills the target after 7 to 10 days.
Infested insects shrivel, or in humid conditions, a fluffy mycelium develops outside the insect.

Product specifications:

Preparation:

• Take the required amount of Mycotal.
• For optimal effectiveness combine with an adjuvant/ wetting agent.
• Mix with 3 to 4 litres of water (at 15°C to 20°C) per 500 gram of Mycotal and stir into a slurry.
• Fill the spray tank with the required amount of water.
• Empty the slurry into the spray tank and stir thoroughly.
• Add the correct amount of adjuvant to the Mycotal spray solution and mix thoroughly.
• Spray immediately after preparation.

Application:

Mycotal can be sprayed on the plants or applied via Low Volume Misting (LVM).

Application via spraying:

• Mycotal can be applied with regular high volume spray equipment.
• Spray until runoff.
• Thorough leaf coverage is essential for the best results. Direct the spray onto the underside of the leaves and to the growing points.
• Make sure to keep stirring the spray solution during application.
• For optimal results repeat the Mycotal treatment, at the specified interval, to target new juvenile stages as they emerge and break the pest life cycle.

Application via low volume misting:

• Mycotal can be applied with all regular LVM systems.
• Thorough leaf coverage is essential for the best results. Use enough water to LVM the product (>50 ltr/ha), add a compatible carrier agent, and apply on a windless day (<3 m/s).
• Keep the ventilation windows closed during application. It is recommended to use fans to improve the distribution.
• Make sure to keep stirring the spray solution during application.
• Apply Mycotal at the end of the day.
• For optimal results repeat the Mycotal treatment, at the specified interval, to target new juvenile stages as they emerge and break the pest life cycle.

Dosage:

Use 100 gram per 100 litre of water. Always check the product label for more information

Environmental conditions:

The efficacy of Mycotal depends on temperature and relative humidity conditions inside the crop canopy and the timing of application. The following conditions are required:

• Mycotal requires sufficient humidity inside the crop canopy for several hours after application for the spores to germinate and infest the pest.
• Spray at late afternoon and/ or early evening.

Storage:

• See package for expiry date.
• Store at 2ºC to 6ºC / 36°F to 43°F.
• Keep away from direct sunlight.

Caution:

• Only use products that are permitted in your country or state and crop.
• Pesticides can have direct or indirect effects on biological solutions.