Please study as quickly as you can! 
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Do tell, please.
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I work for a lab studying fungal pathogens of SLF. We are finding that there is quite a diversity of native fungi that will attack SLF, but typically in low numbers (publication in process). Beauveria bassiana is one of the most common species we find, and it is already widely available as a commercial pesticide. Using these fungi as pesticides has little to no impact on the ecosystem because they are already present, and specific strains can be developed to target a preferred pest. We are currently testing this on SLF in the field. Here’s some of our lab’s papers:
https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2022.2052804
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2022.107821
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2021.107689
https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2023.1127682
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This is a good template, thanks!
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That’s really interesting. I’ve thought about the fact that the dosage of a pathogen has a strong effect on both virulence and transmisability in humans and other things we don’t want to infect, but I’ve never thought about that in a biocontrol context.
If increasing dosage of an already present pathogen can make a big difference to the undesirable insect, is it not likely that increased dosage will also unintentionally kill many native insects?
SLF is really the only insect present in any large numbers in these areas, and “high dose” seems to only apply when the insects are in direct contact with the spray/fungus (but we’re testing that in a few weeks). There were very few non-target insects infected in the first study I linked to before, and that is something we’re making sure to be aware of. It’s also likely that strains can be developed that are less virulent for native insects.
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