Development of a novel bioassay for estimation of median lethal concentrations (LC50) and doses (LD50) of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis.

To conduct laboratory experiments aimed at quantifying secondary acquisition of fungal conidia by western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), an efficient assay technique using Beauveria bassiana as the model fungus was developed. Various application protocols were tested and it was determined that the percent mortality did not vary among protocols. Peak mortality of second-instar nymphs, under constant exposure to conidia, occurred 5 days post-inoculation. Second-instar thrips that were exposed to conidia within 24 h of the molt to second instar were more susceptible to Beauveria bassiana than thrips exposed after times greater than 24 h post-molt. Conidia efficacy, which was monitored at 24 h intervals, did not differ significantly within 72 h. A test of the final bioassay system was conducted in a series of assays aimed at determining the LD50 of B. bassiana technical powder against second-instar western flower thrips. It was determined that B. bassiana (strain GHA) is highly effective at very low doses (LD50 of 33-66 conidia/insect).