Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch
Wed Jan 07 2026
Guest: Julie Graesch
Biological Scientist | IPM Specialist
Currently with BioWorks
Formerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State University
Topics Covered:What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually means
How fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pests
Differences between blastospores and conidia
Why formulation and environmental conditions matter
Common reasons fungal biocontrol applications fail
Preventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungi
Integrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategy
Key Takeaways:Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdowns
Understanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomes
Blastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulations
Successful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Guest: Julie Graesch Biological Scientist | IPM Specialist Currently with BioWorks Formerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State University Topics Covered:What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually means How fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pests Differences between blastospores and conidia Why formulation and environmental conditions matter Common reasons fungal biocontrol applications fail Preventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungi Integrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategy Key Takeaways:Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdowns Understanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomes Blastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulations Successful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.