Potential of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) as biological control agents of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The potential of Beauveria bassiana (strains BbH and BbHa) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (strain 97) as biological control agents of the melon thrips, Thrips palmi, was studied in greenhouse experiments. Twenty- four percent mortality was found on thrips larvae treated with B. bassiana BbHa but infection only developed when leaves with larvae were incubated after being sprayed with the pathogen. Mortality by P. fumosoroseus was very low (0.20%). A reduction of 50% in adult emergence was observed when potting soil with pupae was sprayed with B. bassiana BbHa.