Entomopathogenic fungi in lowbush blueberry fields

Insects collected from lowbush blueberry fields in eastern Canada from 1991-1992 were screened for fungal pathogens. Insect mortality typically was 20 - 25% with fungal entomopathogens accounting for <1 - 10% of this mortality, or 0.5 - 5% of all insects sampled. Distribution of the pathogens was patchy, occurring more commonly in fields with large insect populations. A total of 9 fungal entomopathogens were recorded and a complex of 4-5 species per field was usual. The most common species were Verticillium lecanii and Paecilomyces farinosus. These collections have also yielded a new Hirsutella species from cutworms. This study has shown that fungal pathogens are resident in lowbush blueberry fields and may have potential as new biological control agents.