Green Thumb series to spotlight fungus-based insecticides

By Sequim Gazette Staff • February 1, 2023 1:30 am
Photo by Houping Liu, USDA Emerging from the trunk of an ash tree, an emerald ash borer is infected with Beauveria bassiana, an insect-pathogenic fungus that may prove to be a valuable biocontrol for this pest.
Photo by Houping Liu, USDA Emerging from the trunk of an ash tree, an emerald ash borer is infected with Beauveria bassiana, an insect-pathogenic fungus that may prove to be a valuable biocontrol for this pest.

Local gardening experts note that fungi have been assisting humanity in many ways for eons, and are are essential in the decomposition process as well as in farming, fermentation, medications and as food.

Now, fungi may be able to help us control pests as a natural insecticide.

Join Clallam County Master Gardener Muriel Nesbitt for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation titled “Fungus-Based Insecticides.” The event will be held in person from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Port Angeles Food Bank, 632 N. Oakridge Dr., Port Angeles.

The event will also be available on Zoom; get the link at the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar at extension.wsu.edu/clallam (meeting ID 936 2989 8830, passcode 676224). Or, join by phone by calling 253-215-8782.

Nesbitt will discuss how fungus-based pesticides work using their individualized “chemical weapons,” and their potential benefits to gardeners, farmers and homeowners. In addition, she will offer insights into the difficulties of making such insecticides.

“I have not yet used such insecticides but became interested in the topic due to observing fungus-killed insects in the garden, and being fascinated by the ability of some fungi to control the behavior of insects,” she said.

Nesbitt began her career as a high school teacher in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She went on to become a graduate student at the University of Washington where she earned a Ph.D. in genetics. She was a professor of biology at University of California-Los Angeles for two years and then taught biology at University of California-San Diego for 35 years before retiring to Port Angeles in 2008.

Sponsored by WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners, the Green Thumbs Garden Tips education series is offered on the second and fourth Thursday each month through October (in November, December and January, one program is offered). Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar (extension.wsu.edu/clallam) for the latest information on upcoming presentations.

For more information, call 360-565-2679.