ABSTRACT
Species of the Aspergillus flavus group have been recognized as fungal pathogens of insects for many years. A. flavus and A. parasiticus contamination of insects in rearing facilities sometimes can become a major problem because these fungi grow in the rearing diet and eventually parasitize the insects or produce metabolites toxic to the insects. This chapter addresses the use of members of the A. flavus group as biological control agents of insects, the importance of insects in dissemination of and infection by the A. flavus group, and some biological interactions of host plants and the A. flavus group. Work on several crops that are often contaminated by aflatoxins is emphasized; these crops include rice, cotton, tree nuts, peanuts (groundnuts), and corn (maize). The microbial interactions of the A. flavus group with other microorganisms and the conditions favoring aflatoxin production are also be considered.
