Neozygites parvispora (Zygomycotina: entomophthorales) causing an epizootic in frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: thripidae) on cucumber in spain

The first appearance in Spain of a thrips entomopathogenic fungus, Neozygites parvispora, is described. A greenhouse cucumber crop was monitored weekly from May to August 1996 for thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and their natural enemies. One fungicidal treatment was made during the growing season. No insecticides were applied. An epizootic in the thrips population due to N. parvispora lasted from the seventh week after transplanting until the crop was terminated, reaching a mean of 6.46 infected thrips per leaf. Several species of generalist predators (Heteroptera, Miridae, and Anthocoridae) colonized the crop and, together with N. parvispora, controlled the thrips population. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.