That’s the indication from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) studies in which scientists pitted Muscodor against potato tuber moths, apple codling moths and Tilletia fungi that cause bunt diseases in wheat.

The scientists – at ARS laboratories in Aberdeen, Idaho; Wapato, Wash., and other locations – conducted separate studies of Muscodor. However, their goal was the same: to learn whether volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by the fungus could replace or diminish the use of synthetic pesticides.

At the ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory in Wapato, WA, entomologist Lerry Lacey and colleagues tested Muscodor against potato tuber moths, which damage potato leaves and tubers, and apple codling moths, which feed inside apples. In fumigation chamber tests, 85 to 91 per cent of adult codling moths died when exposed to Muscodor fumes, while 62 to 71 per cent of larvae died or failed to pupate. In apple storage tests, a 14-day exposure to Muscodor killed 100 per cent of cocooned codling moth larvae, which are especially difficult to control.

Lacey and colleagues have also been testing Muscodor's effectiveness in biofumigating sealed cartons of apples stored at various temperatures. The results have been encouraging so far, he reports, and there appears to be no adverse effect on the apples’ colour, firmness or other characteristics.