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Previous research has shown that concrete concepts are more readily attained than abstract concepts. In the present study this dominance effect was confirmed for verbal materials, even when instances and concepts were equivalent in instance frequency, meaningfulness and conjoint frequency. This effect was especially marked under high memory-load conditions. (CHK)

Los adenomas vellosos son una patología infrecuente en el tubo digestivo y muy especialmente en el estómago. Presentamos un caso de adenoma velloso de estómago en una paciente de 73 años. Morfológicamente correspondió a una lesión de 1.5cm tipo ip al cual le realizamos resección mucosal endoscópica y la cual histológicamente fue descrita como una lesión de tipo velloso. La paciente presentó hemorragia en el sitio de la lesión posterior al tratamiento endoscópico y la cual fue tratada en forma satisfactoria con tratamiento endoscópico mínimamente invasivo a base de adrenalina y argón plasma. Villous adenomas are uncommon pathology in the digestive tube and very especially in the stomach. We present a case of adenoma, villous stomach in a 73-year-old patient. Macroscopally corresponded to one ip type 1.5 cm lesion to which you we perform endoscopic mucosal resection and which histologically was described as a type villous injury. The patient presented bleeding at the site of the lesion after the endoscopic treatment and which was treated satisfactorily with endoscopic treatment minimally invasive based on adrenaline and argon plasma.

La disección submucosal endoscópica es una técnica endoluminal que nos permite resecciones amplias en un solo bloque en el tratamiento endoscópico del cáncer gástrico temprano.En este trabajo se presenta la experiencia inicial en la aplicación de la disección submucosal endoscópica en el tratamiento minimamente invasivo del cáncer gástrico temprano. Realizamos este procedimiento en 21 casos de cáncer gástrico temprano Y un caso de adenoma plano con displasia de bajo grado.La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 67 años. Macroscópicamente 11 casos fueron Tipo IIc, 9 casos de cáncer gástrico temprano Tipo IIa y el otro caso fue una forma combinada Tipo IIa+II. 14 casos estaban localizados en antro próximal y 8 casos en cuerpo gástrico.21 casos fueron resecados en un solo bloque. Hubo una perforación y observamos hemorragia durante 7 casos que fueron controladas por vía endoscópica. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a new endoluminal endoscopic procedure that allowed resection for early gastric cancer(EGC) in one bloc. In this paper we present 21 cases of EGC and one case of flat adenoma treated by ESD in our institution.Median age of our patients was 67 years.Macroscopically 11 cases were Tipe IIC, 9 case was Tipe IIa and the other case was Tipe IIa+IIc. According to localization 14 cases were located in the proximal antrum and 8 cases were located in gastric body .there was one perforation that it was solved by surgical procedure and we observed 7 cases with bleeding that were endosc opically treated.

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a recent invasive pest of small and stone fruits, has been detected in more than half of the U.S. states, and in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Upon discovery, several different trap designs were recommended for monitoring. This study compared the trap designs across seven states/provinces in North America and nine crop types. Between May and November 2011, we compared a clear cup with 10 side holes (clear); a commercial trap with two side holes (commercial); a Rubbermaid container with mesh lid and rain tent (Haviland), and with 10 side holes and no tent (modified Haviland); a red cup with 10 side holes (red); and a white container with mesh lid and rain tent (Van Steenwyk). Although fly catches among traps varied per site, overall, the Haviland trap caught the most D. suzukii, followed by the red, Van Steenwyk, and clear trap. The modified Haviland and commercial trap had low captures. Among five crop types in Oregon, a clear cup with mesh sid...

Black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Fabricius), is a serious pest of cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. Larvae feed undetected within the soil and cause damage to roots and underground vines. We correlated damage caused by feeding larvae from known BVW egg densities. Two cultivars of potted cranberry vines, ‘Stevens’ and ‘McFarlin’, were inoculated with 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 eggs per pot. Root damage and canopy health were assessed. ‘Stevens’ exceeded ‘McFarlin’ in dry shoot weight, total shoot length, total leaf area, and dry root weight before egg treatments. Damage to underground vines increased with increasing egg density and more damage was found in ‘Stevens’ than ‘McFarlin’ at the highest egg densities. In August, plant water use and total shoot length in ‘McFarlin’ were significantly greater in plants treated with 0–5 eggs per pot compared with plants treated with 40–80 eggs per pot. The effect on total shoot length was more pronounced in October. ‘Stevens’ showed no response to increasing BVW density for up to 24 weeks. Destructive measurements showed decreased root weight in ‘McFarlin’ but not ‘Stevens’. Both cultivars showed a similar decrease in dry shoot weight, total shoot length, and percent green leaf area with increasing BVW egg density. Root damage increased as BVW egg density increased and this damage resulted in reduced plant water use for ‘McFarlin’. Reduced shoot growth and leaf area was recorded for both cultivars, although these effects were more apparent in ‘McFarlin’ and at an earlier stage than in ‘Stevens’.

Root weevils in the genus Otiorhynchus are cited as one of the most important pests in the major nursery and small fruit production areas throughout the United States, western Canada, and northern Europe. A major problem in combating weevil attack is monitoring and timing of control measures. Because of the night-activity of the adult weevils growers do not observe the emerging weevils in a timely manner and oviposition often starts before effective control measures are taken. Several vine weevil electroantennogram-active plant volatiles were identified from a preferred host plant, Euonymus fortunei. Main compounds evoking antennal responses on the weevils' antennae were (Z)-2-pentenol, (E)-2-hexenol, (Z)-3-hexenol, methyl benzoate, linalool, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, methyl eugenol, and (E, E)-alpha-farnesene. Several of these compounds were tested alone and in mixtures on attractiveness for the vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) in field-grown strawberry in Oregon. O. sulcatus were attracted to (Z)-2-pentenol (approximately 3 x more than control) and a 1:1 ratio mixture of (Z)-2-pentenol and methyl eugenol (4.5 x more than control). This is the first report of field-active attractants for O. sulcatus which holds promise for the development of new monitoring strategies for growers in the near future.

BACKGROUND: The spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive pest of small-fruit crops. Unlike most other Drosophila, this insect is able to oviposit into and damage ripe and ripening fruit, making it unmarketable. Because this is a new pest in the United States, it is necessary to identify registered insecticides to manage this insect effectively in conventional and organic production systems. RESULTS: The present laboratory bioassays and field trials identified a number of insecticides representing various modes of action that are effective in controlling D. suzukii. Products that performed well in the laboratory bioassay also performed well in the field, indicating that screening of new chemistries in the laboratory is a worthy exercise. Field application of pyrethoids, organophosphates or spinosyns provided 5–14 days of residual control of D. suzukii. The efficacy of the neonicotinoids as adulticides was not satisfactory compared with the other contact-mode-of-action chemistries. Based on the zero tolerance by the small-fruit industry and the individual effects mentioned above, neonicotinoids are not currently recommended for D. suzukii management. CONCLUSIONS: There are effective insecticides registered for controlling D. suzukii infestations in susceptible small-fruit crops. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, a native of eastern and southeastern Asia, is a pest of small and stone fruits. First detected in California in 2008, the insect is now found across the Pacific Coast states. Its penchant for attacking healthy, ripening fruit (as opposed to overripe and rotting fruit favored by other so-called “vinegar flies”) makes it a potential economic threat to a host of soft- and thin-skinned fruit crops including cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, peach, plums, pluots, nectarines, juice grape, table grape, and wine grape. Coordinated research projects to determine host preference, seasonal phenology, biology, and management options are taking place among entomologists in Washington, Oregon, and California. A description of the pest and initial findings on its biology, life history, known and expected geographic range, management and monitoring techniques, and economic considerations are presented and discussed.

Filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a key insect pest associated with hazelnuts, Corylus avellana L. (Fagales: Betulaceae), in North America. This study investigated the feasibility of entomopathogenic nematodes as an alternative strategy for filbertworm control. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted between October 2007 and May 2008 in Benton County, OR, to evaluate the ability of the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) to infect filbertworm larvae and pupae. The susceptibility of larvae with and without hibernacula as well as pupae to S. carpocapsae was tested in laboratory bioassays using nematode concentrations between 40 and 200 infective juveniles (IJs) per cm2. Percentage of nematode infection was not significantly affected by the presence of hibernacula (infection range, 90–92%) compared with larvae without hibernacula (80–95%), or by pupal stage (50–75%) compared with larvae (65–75%). In additional field trials, the effect of nematode rate, water application rate, and orchard floor cover on nematode efficacy was determined in October 2007 and May/June 2008. Sentinel filbertworm larvae in plots with either bare soil or debris (leaves, twigs, husks, and blank nuts) were treated with S. carpocapsae at rates ranging from 40 to 150 IJs per cm2 applied in 75 or 190 ml/m2 water. Average filbertworm mortality ranged from 2 to 11% and from 50 to 78% in October and May, respectively. Larval mortality increased with increasing nematode concentration, but was not significantly affected by water application rate or orchard floor cover. Our experiments suggest that S. carpocapsae can play a role in the control of filbertworm larvae overwintering on the orchard floor.

The ecology of fungal entomopathogens in the rhizosphere is an understudied area of insect pathology. The rhizosphere is the region of soil in which the release of root exudates influences the soil microbiota, and may provide a favorable environment for fungal entomopathogens. The objective of this review is to bring together the relatively scant data available to date on the subject of fungal entomopathogens colonizing the rhizosphere and to highlight the importance of these findings. Gaining a better understanding of the ecology of fungal entomopathogens in the rhizosphere will help in the development of successful microbial control strategies against root-feeding insect pests.

Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most damaging insect pests of corn. Studies were conducted to determine whether live larval counts obtained from corn whorls were predictive of the amount of larval tunneling that would result in the stalk of the plant 40 d later at the end of larval development. Whorls from plants treated with Dipel 10G (6,400 IU per whorl) and untreated controls, both infested with O. nubilalis neonates, were evaluated for the number of live larvae in 50 whorls 5, 7, 9, and 12 d after Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) application. Forty days after larval infestation, 25 plants from each plot were split from tassel to base, and the length of larval tunneling was recorded. There was a strong relationship between numbers of live larvae in the plant whorl and the length of larval tunneling that resulted. While linear at each location, there was significant variation in the relationship among locations, indicating that comparisons could not be made between years or locations within a year. Blocks within a location on a given year did not vary significantly and reproducible results were obtained each year within a given location as well as on any of the whorl pulling dates evaluated. Because of its ease of use, predictability, and rapid return of results, we propose this technique as an additional method to shot-hole feeding and stalk splitting to evaluate the effectiveness of O. nubilalis management strategies.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) is registered in the United States and The Netherlands for black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) control in container-grown ornamentals. These studies were conducted to determine the compatibility of M. anisopliae (F52) with a wide range of fungicides commonly applied to container-grown ornamentals for the management of soil-borne plant pathogens. The impact of fungicides on spore germination and mycelial growth were determined in vitro. In addition, M. anisopliae persistence in bulk and rhizosphere soil was determined 30 days following dual application of each fungicide at 7–28 days intervals as prescribed. A number of fungicides (thiophanate-methyl, dimethomorph, captan, triflumizole, triflozystrobin, pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin) inhibited spore germination in vitro. A larger number of fungicides (fosetyl-AI, thiophanate-methyl, dimethomorph, captan, quintozene, triflumizole, fludioxanil, triflozystrobin, pyraclostrobin, fludiox-mefanox, iprodione, azoxystrobin, phosphorus acid/K-salts) inhibited mycelial growth in vitro. Only three fungicides (etridiazole, propamocard and mafanoxam) had no significant impact in vitro on spore germination or mycelial growth. While a number of fungicides had a detrimental impact in vitro, there was no impact on M. anisopliae populations in bulk soil following dual application of any fungicide. However, the fungicides captan and triflumizolet, which have a short reapplication interval, had a detrimental impact on M. anisopliae populations in the rhizosphere. As researchers develop rhizosphere competence as an alternative management strategy for black vine weevil, the fungicides captan and triflumizole should be avoided.

Nosema pyrausta, an entomopathogenic microsporidium, is an important population regulator of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. This manuscript is a review of research on the relationships between N. pyrausta and O. nubilalis. N. pyrausta was described from O. nubilalis in Hungary in 1927 and from O. nubilalis in IA in 1950. It affects the basic biology of O. nubilalis by slowing larval development, reducing percentage pupation, and decreasing adult longevity, oviposition and fecundity. Infections are maintained in a population by vertical and horizontal transmission. Success of vertical transmission depends on intensity of infection. Horizontal transmission is dependent on stage of larval development at time of infection, quantity of inoculum, and host density. Abiotic and biotic factors coupled with N. pyrausta usually have an additive effect in decreasing the fitness of O. nubilalis, i.e., cold temperatures reduce fecundity and increase larval mortality, host plant resistance reduces the number of larvae per plant. Also, microbial and chemical insecticides are more effective in reducing plant feeding if the insect is infected with N. pyrausta. Predators in general feed on N. pyrausta-infected O. nubilalis with no decrease in fitness. Parasitoids do coexist with N. pyrausta, however, parasitoid fecundity is usually reduced when developing in a N. pyrausta-infected host. Previously unreported data are presented on the prevalence of N. pyrausta in O. nubilalis populations from many parts of the US. These data demonstrate that N. pyrausta continues to be present and fluctuate in populations of O. nubilalis as it has since its discovery in the US. Also, the dynamics of its presence remain similar through changes in corn production including crop rotations, reduced tillage and transgenic insect-resistant varieties.

The Lincoln Limestone Member of the Greenhorn Limestone is an Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rock unit formed during a transgressive phase of the North American Western Interior Seaway. Here, we present the lithologic description of 15 Lincoln Limestone localities in Russell County, Kansas, with a special emphasis on the basal beds which are locally abundant with fish remains. Based on the lithologic data, three sets of lithostratigraphic correlations, that are oriented at different angles from each other, were constructed by using the top of the “X-bentonite” of the underlying Graneros Shale as the stratigraphic datum. Based on the data, we recognize one distinct rock unit and four clusters of lithostratigraphically distinct and consistent units referred to as “marker zones” in the Lincoln Limestone that are observed widely in Russell County. They are (in ascending order from the base of the member): (1) the calcarenite marker zone, (2) lower bentonitic marker zone, (3) limestone marker bed, (4) u...

Summary Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 and the related strain Pf-5 are well-characterized representatives of rhizosphere bacteria that have the capacity to protect crop plants from fungal root diseases, mainly by releasing a variety of exoproducts that are toxic to plant pathogenic fungi. Here, we report that the two plant-beneficial pseudomonads also exhibit potent insecticidal activity. Anti-insect activity is linked to a novel genomic locus encoding a large protein toxin termed Fit (for P. fluorescens insecticidal toxin) that is related to the insect toxin Mcf (Makes caterpillars floppy) of the entomopathogen Photorhabdus lumine- scens, a mutualist of insect-invading nematodes. When injected into the haemocoel, even low doses of P. fluorescens CHA0 or Pf-5 killed larvae of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta and the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella. In contrast, mutants of CHA0 or Pf-5 with deletions in the Fit toxin gene were significantly less virulent to the larvae. When expressed from an inducible promoter in a non-toxic Escherichia coli host, the Fit toxin gene was sufficient to render the bacterium toxic to both insect hosts. Our findings establish the Fit gene products of P. fluorescens CHA0 and Pf-5 as potent insect toxins that define previously unappreciated anti-insect properties of these plant-colonizing bacteria.

Microprocessor-controlled knee joints appeared on the market a decade ago. These joints are more sophisticated and more expensive than mechanical ones. The literature is contradictory regarding changes in gait and balance when using these sophisticated devices.This study employed a crossover design to assess the comparative performance of a passive mechanical knee prosthesis compared to a microprocessor-controlled knee joint in 15 subjects with an above-knee amputation. Objective measurements of gait and balance were obtained.Subjects demonstrated significantly improved gait characteristics after receiving the microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint (p0.01). Improvements in gait were a transition from a hyperextended knee to a flexed knee during loading response which resulted in a change from an internal knee flexor moment to a knee extensor moment. The participants' balance also improved (p0.01). All conditions of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) demonstrated improvements in equilibrium score. The composite score also increased.Transfemoral amputees using a microprocessor-controlled knee have significant improvements in gait and balance.

The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of the two primary direct insect pests of hazelnuts in Oregon to three species of entomopathogenic nematodes. The entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis marelatus Pt. Reyes, Steinernema carpocapsae All and Steinernema kraussei L137) were used in laboratory soil bioassays to determine their virulence against filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and filbert weevil, Curculio occidentalis (Casey) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). All three nematode species were infective in laboratory bioassays. Infectivity ranged from 73-100% and 23-85% for filbertworm and filbert weevil, respectively. Field results were similar to those found in the laboratory with filbertworm larvae being more susceptible to nematode infection.

The black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) is a serious pest of nursery crops. The fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (F52), is registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for BVW control. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of a curative drench application of M. anisopliae for controlling BVW larval infestations in container-grown nursery plants and the effect of temperature on the rate of fungal growth and speed of kill. Trials evaluating the efficacy of M. anisopliae as a curative application were performed in the spring of 2004 and 2005 as well as the fall of 2006. Laboratory studies were performed to quantify the impact of temperature (10, 15, 20, 24 and 28C) on fungal growth and speed of kill. Metarhizium anisopliae applied in the greenhouse and outdoors in 2004 were 92 and 30% effective, respectively. Fungal applications to container-grown plant material maintained outdoors in the spring of 2005 were nearly 100% effective 28 days after application. Fall applications in 2006 provided statistically significant reductions in the number of live BVW larve per pot, but were not as effective as spring applications in 2005. The mean media temperature of containers maintained outdoors in the fall of 2006 dropped considerably (10–12C) over the course of the experiment and were likely the cause for the reduced efficacy. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that temperatures below 20C (68F) significantly slowed fungal growth and the speed at which M. anisopliae infected BVW larvae. In the field, drench applications of M. anisopliae were very effective at eliminating BVW larvae in container-grown nursery plants when media temperatures were adequate (> 15C (59F)). The use of M. anisopliae as a curative drench application has similar temperature-dependent limitations as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes for BVW control. Therefore, applications should occur as early in the fall as possible once egg laying has ended or in late spring just prior to pupation when media temperatures would be most conducive to fungal infection.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the behavior of black vine weevil larvae, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.), in the presence of two possible control options: the synthetic pyrethroid bifenthrin and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sorokin. Five third-instar black vine weevil were placed in two-choice soil olfactometers that allowed larvae to infest one of two pots. Larvae were allowed to choose between M. anisopliae (1 × 106 spores/g dry media) and untreated media, bifenthrin (25 ppm) and untreated media, as well as M. anisopliae– and bifenthrin-treated media. For all comparisons, experiments were conducted without plants in the system to test for innate responses, as well as with plants to test host–plant influence. Larvae were significantly deterred by bifenthrin without plants present in the system. No significant effect on larval preference was observed when M. anisopliae was present in media for trials without plants. M. anisopliae–treated media was preferre...

The black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) is a serious pest of nursery crops, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. The fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (F52), has recently been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for BVW control. The objective of this study was to determine the persistence of M. anisopliae in five common soilless potting media components (coir, fir bark, hemlock bark, peat moss and perlite), which was measured as pathogenicity against BVW larvae. Fungal granules (½ lb/yd3) were incorporated with each media component at potting and fungal persistence determined for 133 days. Experiments were performed with and without plants to determine if the presence of a plant impacted fungal persistence. Overall, the fungus persisted well in all of the potting media components tested up to 133 days post application. Persistence was somewhat lower in the first experiment, likely due to fluctuating media moisture. In the second experiment, with more stable media moisture levels, the percentage of larval infection did not drop below 88% in any media at 133 days post application. It is likely that M. anisopliae will persist well and provide high levels of BVW larval control in most of the commercial potting media used in containerized nursery production, particularly those comprised primarily of the media components tested in these studies.

Background. Walking is a widely used approach to increase physical activity levels in obese patients. In this paper, we investigate the precision and accuracy of an ankle-worn dual-axis accelerometer (Stepwatch) and investigate its potential application as a predictor of energy expenditure. Methods. Twenty healthy subjects (10 lean, 10 obese) wore spring-levered (Accusplit), piezoelectric (Omron HF-100), and Stepwatch pedometers. Subjects walked on a treadmill at 1, 2, and 3 mph and in a hallway at 1 and 1.85 mph, during which energy expenditure was measured. Results. The Stepwatch counted 99.7 ± 0.67% (mean ± SEM) of the manual counts. In comparison, the Omron pedometer counted 61 ± 3.3% and the Accusplit counted 26 ± 2.8% of the manual counts at 1 mph although all pedometers were accurate (> 98% of counts) at 3 mph. In repeated measures, the Stepwatch produced negligible variance (SD = 0.36) over all speed whereas the other pedometers showed a large amount of variance at all speed (SD = 4–13). Stepwatch counts were predictive of walking energy expenditure corrected by weight (r2 > 0.8). Conclusion. The counts from the Stepwatch were virtually identical to the manual counts from a trained investigator and provided a reliable predictor of walking energy expenditure.

Laboratory soil bioassays were performed at economic field rates for in-furrow (3.85 × 106 spores/g dry soil) and broadcast (3.85 × 105 spores/g dry soil) applications with three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (F52, ATCC62176, and ARSEF5520) and one isolate of Beauveria bassiana (GHA). All isolates tested were infective to second instar Delia radicum (L.). The conditionally registered M. anisopliae isolate (F52) performed best killing an average of 85 and 72% of D. radicum larvae at the high and low concentration, respectively. The mean LC50 and LC95 of F52 against second instar D. radicum was 2.7 × 106 and 1.8 × 108 spores/g dry soil, respectively. The use of F52 in an integrated management program is discussed.

Wholesale container-grown ornamentals are often maintained at the nursery for at least two growing seasons and are subject to infestation by black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus F., for several months each year. Therefore, a potting media amendment aimed at controlling BVW needs to persist for an extended period of time. These studies were conducted to determine the persistence and ecology of Metarhizium anisopliae (MetchnikoV) Sorokin incorporated into peat and bark-based potting media with and without a crab meal amendment in container-grown Picea abies ‘Nidiformis.’ Rooted cuttings of P. abies were planted into potting media amended with M. anisopliae (1 g of formulated product/L; »6 log10 CFU/g dry potting media). The fungal population in bulk potting media was quantitatively determined using selective media at 14, 21, 28, 35, 49, 63, 77, 91, 105, 119, 143, 175, 203, 231, 258, 287 and 342 days. The fungal population in the rhizosphere was quantitatively determined at 203, 231, 258, 287, and 342 days. M. anisopliae colonized the rhizosphere of P. abies and the fungal population in the rhizosphere was signiWcantly greater than in the surrounding bulk media. M. anisopliae persisted in the peat and bark-based potting media at 6.22 and 5.74 log10 CFU/g dry potting media for 342 days, respectively. Bioassays using bark and peat-based potting media inoculated with M. anisopliae at 6 log 10 CFU/g dry potting media resulted in 93.5% and 97.5% infection of last instar BVW, respectively. P. abies roots inoculated with M. anisopliae infected 76% of 2nd–3rd instar BVW. Inoculation of roots with M. anisopliae represents a novel method for delivering entomopathogenic fungi and would greatly reduce application costs. Factors associated with fungal biology outside the host may be more important than virulence in a laboratory bioassay.