Reported herein is the use of mycotized millet grains with entomopathogenic fungi applied to soil to control western flower thrips (WFT), Franklinella occidentalis. The majority of mature larvae move from plants to soil for pupation. Mycotized millet grains with Beauveria bassiana ERL1170 and Metarhizium anisopliae ERL1171 were mixed in the upper layer of potting soil containing a blossomed marigold as a banker plant. B. bassiana GHA, a commercial isolate, served as a control. One week post applicaion 3 mated WFT females were added per plant. At 8 wks post infestation WFT mortality in pots with ERL1170 and ERL1171 treatments was 90% and 81% respectively compared to GHA with 15% mortality. Plants in the two ERL treatments had lower levels of damage. The insecticidal activities were positively associated with the fungal soil colonization. No significant release of fungal innoculum from the potting medium was observed. These results suggest that soil applications of entomopathogenic fungi can reduce WFT populations to significantly low levels by targeting pupae. Application timing and the life cycle of WFT are important considerations.

• Jae Su Kim(Entomology Research Laboratory, University of Vermont, Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Margaret Skinner(Entomology Research Laboratory, University of Vermont)
• Svetlana Gouli(Entomology Research Laboratory, University of Vermont)
• Cheryl E. Frank(Entomology Research Laboratory, University of Vermont)
• Jae Young Choi(School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Yeon Ho Je(School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Bruce L. Parker(Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)