Background:

The control of agricultural pests is carried out with chemical insecticides despite their impact on human health, damage to non-target insects, and their environmental persistence. Biological control with Agricultural Fungi-based Insecticides (AFI) has emerged as a low-impact alternative for the environment and human health.

Objective:

An exhaustive review of the diversity of AFI available in Mexico was performed, focusing on the most commonly used species of entomopathogenic fungi, types of formulations, control pests, and their use in phytosanitary campaigns in the country.

Methods:

A search was conducted for AFI whose active ingredient is entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in directories of laboratories that produce and market biological control agents and on websites of companies that market bioinsecticides.

Results and conclusions:

Seven species of EF were recorded as active ingredients in 76 products, with Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae being the most commonly used in wettable powder (WP) formulations. The availability of AFI provides an alternative to the indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides. The data show the interest and demand for AFI in Mexican agriculture and their relevance for control, regulation, and distribution in agricultural fields.

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