EPISODE · Jan 7, 2026 · 1H 15M
Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch
from Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast · host Bioworks, KIS Organics, Julie Graesch, Tad Hussey
Guest: Julie GraeschBiological Scientist | IPM SpecialistCurrently with BioWorksFormerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State UniversityTopics Covered:What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually meansHow fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pestsDifferences between blastospores and conidiaWhy formulation and environmental conditions matterCommon reasons fungal biocontrol applications failPreventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungiIntegrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategyKey Takeaways:Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdownsUnderstanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomesBlastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulationsSuccessful 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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What this episode covers
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.
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Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch
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