Soil Effects of Beauveria bassiana on Pupal Populations of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Soil applications of Beauveria bassiana were effective in controlling first- and second-generation Leptinotarsa decemlineata pupae, with a 74% reduction of the first generation and a 77% reduction of the second. The applications reduced adult emergence from pupation and increased postemergence mycosis. Conidia were superior to blastospores in reducing emergence, but produced no significant difference in postemergence mycosis. Soil isolations showed half the inocula present after 2 weeks.