Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi (Hyphomycetes) to the legume flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom) (Thysan., Thripidae)

Twenty-two strains of entomopathogenic fungi were tested in the laboratory to determine their pathogenicity to adult Megalurothrips sjostedti. All the fungal strains were pathogenic to the insect. Beauveria bassiana and Metar hizium anisopliae strains caused mortality ranging between 29 and 100% and 54 to 100%, respectively. In contrast, Verticillium lecanii and Paecilomyce s fumosoroseus were less virulent, causing mortality ranging between 29 to 68 and 13%, respectively. The LT50 of the most virulent B. bassiana and M. anisopliae strains was 2.7 and 2.4 days, respectively. The LC50 for the mos t active B. bassiana strain was 7.9 x 10(6) conidia/ml. The LC50 for the mo st active strain of M. anisopliae was 1.3 x 10(6) conidia/ml. Two strains o f B. bassiana and four strains of M. anisopliae were found to be highly pat hogenic to M. sjostedti, which suggests a potential for their use in the bi ological control of the pest.