Spore adhesion of entomopathogenic fungi to larvae of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande, 1895)-(Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

The entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii proves to be very promising in controlling the population of Western Flower Thrips. Special investigations have been carried out to clear up the mechanisms of spore-adhesion at the insects with fluorescence-microscopy. After direct soil applications we have found a lot of spores/larva while applying low spore-concentrations. The loading with spores after indirect applications was very high as well. The addition of oils to the suspension enhanced the number of spores/insect and reduced the proportion of insects without spores.