Screening of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) strains against Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and conditions for large-scale production

Abstract Background Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) is an entomopathogenic fungus that has potential as a biological control agent against many insect pests. This study was conducted to optimize the conditions for large-scale production on rice of B. and evaluate its virulence bean flower thrips Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Results The optimal substrate quantity conidia 200 g per container (2.1 l), with having 52% moisture content, being supplemented 2% cooking oil. In stage batch, 150 ml suspension (at 24.33 × 10 7 spores/ml) incubated days in SDA liquid medium amended 4% glucose 1.5% yeast extract. then used inoculate one substrate. optimum ratio conidial (v/v) 20–25%. Virulence spore powder harvested from same produced solid media thrips. level application M. similar chemical pesticide spinetoram when applied cowpea ( Vigna sinensis Endl) field. Conclusions optimized system can be spores, which field