Who showed that a fungus caused silkworm disease?

The French scientist Louis Pasteur demonstrated that a fungus, specifically the pathogen Beauveria bassiana, caused the disease known as "silkworm disease" or " pébrine" in silkworms. His research in the 19th century revealed the connection between the fungus and the decline of silkworm populations, leading to significant advancements in the understanding of microbial diseases and their effects on agriculture. Pasteur’s work laid the foundation for modern microbiology and disease control.