Potential of a strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) as a biological control agent against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Five Beauveria bassiana strains were evaluated for control of western flower thrips. Strain RSB was the most virulent, causing 69–96% mortality at concentrations of 1×104–1×107 conidia mL−1, 10 days after inoculation of first instars. In greenhouse trials, RSB applied to broccoli foliage significantly reduced adult and larval populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]