Laboratory and greenhouse evaluation of a new entomopathogenic strain of Beauveria bassiana for control of the onion thrips Thrips tabaci

Abstract

The onion thrips Thrips tabaci is one of the most important pests of greenhouse and open-field broccoli, onion and other crops. However, the current strategy of using synthetic pesticides for its control is inadequate and unsustainable, leading to a growing interest in novel and effective biological control alternatives such as entomopathogenic fungi. Among 20 isolates of Beauveria bassiana tested for virulence against T. tabaci in laboratory bioassays, we found strain SZ-26 as the most potent, causing 83–100% mortality in adults at 1×10⁷ mL^?1conidia after 4–7 days. Further experiments in greenhouses showed the strain SZ-26 significantly lowered the numbers of adult and larval stages.