Lecanicillium is a genusoffungi in the order Hypocreales and is described as anamorphic Cordycipitaceae; 21 species are currently described.[1] Some of these entomopathogenic fungus species were previously widely known as Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Viegas.[2] This genus was first named and introduced by Rasoul Zare (IRIPP) and Walter Gams (CBS).
| Lecanicillium | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lecanicillium cauligalbarum. a Synnemata emerged from the corpse of a stemborer (Lepidoptera) b Culture plate, showing the front (upper) and the back (lower) of the colony, cultured on PDA medium c–e Phialides solitary or in 2–3 whorls f–g Conidia. Scale bars: 10 mm (b, c, e), 5 μm (d, f, g) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Hypocreales |
| Family: | Cordycipitaceae |
| Genus: | Lecanicillium W.Gams & Zare (2001) |
| Type species | |
| Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) Zare & W.Gams (2001) | |
The IndexFungorum records the following species:
At least 15 products based on Lecanicillium spp. have been, or are in the process of being commercialized as biological pesticides, against a variety of pests in numerous countries worldwide.[3]