Beauveria brongniartii is an entomopathogenic ascomycete fungus prevalent in various ecosystems, including forest soils, alpine grasslands, and peat bogs.

[3] These products typically use sterile barley kernels colonized with fungal spores, which are applied to soil to target cockchafer larvae and other life stages, demonstrating significant efficacy in reducing pest populations[3] The application of B. brongniartii offers a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, with studies showing that the fungus can persist in soil for years without disrupting native fungal populations.

[2] This infection cycle, combined with this species' environmental compatibility and ability to coexist with indigenous fungal strains, underscores its value as a long-term, ecologically sound solution for pest control.

[7] Using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α) sequences, researchers have shown that B. brongniartii forms a unique clade within the genus, dispelling confusion caused by morphologically convergent conidia.

[6] Recent studies also reveal that B. brongniartii is part of a cryptic species complex, meaning that it contains genetically distinct lineages that are not easily differentiated by morphology alone.

[2] Colonies of B. brongniartii typically start with a white, fluffy appearance but often develop a yellowish to pinkish hue as they mature, which can further aid in identification during culture.

[2] Beauveria brongniartii, though less common than its relative B. bassiana, is globally distributed and thrives in diverse habitats such as alpine regions, open bogs, and forest soils.

[8] This clonal nature enables it to persist over extended periods in soil, particularly in areas with high M. melolontha presence, and facilitates dispersal through environmental agents like rain, wind, and beetle movement.

[8] B. brongniartii primarily colonizes soil and associates with M. melolontha larvae and adults, whereas B. pseudobassiana can also inhabit plant foliage, suggesting it may exploit a broader ecological niche that includes other insect hosts.

[10] Although oosporein has been linked to avian gout in broiler chicks at high levels, typical field applications result in quantities too low for significant environmental buildup, minimizing this risk in practical use.

[12] A more targeted approach uses sterile barley kernels colonized with B. brongniartii spores, which are inserted into the soil to depths of 3–10 cm using slit seeder machines, delivering the fungus closer to larval habitats.