Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch
This episode takes a deep dive into entomopathogenic fungi—fungi that infect and kill insect pests—and how to use them effectively in real cultivation systems. Biocontrol products based on Beauveria and Metarhizium are widely used, but many growers don’t fully understand how these organisms work, why formulation matters, or how life-cycle differences like blastospores versus conidia influence results. My guest is Julie Graesch, a biological scientist with 18 years of experience in laboratory, greenhouse, and field research within the IPM industry. We break down how entomopathogenic fungi infect insects, why some applications fail, and how to incorporate these tools into a preventative, biology-driven IPM program rather than using them reactively.
Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast · Bioworks, Julie Graesch, Tad Hussey, KIS Organics
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Show Notes
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
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