Effects of manipulating spray-application parameters on efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, infesting greenhouse impatiens crops

The effects of various spray application parameters on the efficacy of a clay-based wettable powder formulation of Beauveria bassiana strain GHA conidia against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, were evaluated in a series of greenhouse tests. With the aim of optimizing spray application methods to maximize biopesticide efficacy, a series of independent experiments was conducted that varied four spray parameters: application interval, rate, volume, and spray-program timing. Impatiens crops infested with western flower thrips were treated with (1) multiple sprays at the rate of 5 x 10(13) conidia in 935 L aqueous carrier ha(-1) applied at 3-, 5-, and 7-day intervals, (2) weekly sprays at rates of 5 x 10(13), 1 x 10(14), and 2.0 x 10(14) conidia in 935 L carrier ha(-1), (3) weekly sprays at a rate of 2.0 x 10(14) conidia in volumes of 935, 1870, and 3740 L carrier ha(-1), and (4) multiple sprays at the rate of 2.0 x 10(14) conidia in 3740 L carrier ha(-1) applied at 5-day intervals in spray programs initiated before versus after the onset of flowering. Pollen-bearing impatiens flowers were sampled twice weekly to estimate thrips population density, and adult female and second-instar thrips were collected 24 h post application for determination of acquired dose (conidia/insect). Numbers of conidia inoculated onto thrips increased with increasing spray frequency and volume. Dose was unexpectedly not directly correlated with application rate when volume was held constant, suggesting that thrips avoided concentrated spray residues. Statistically significant thrips population reductions relative to controls were achieved only when three to four sprays were applied at the highest label rate in the highest volume at < 7-day intervals. Applications against thrips infesting young, preflowering impatiens crops were not consistently more effective than applications in older crops. The most effective treatment programs reduced pest populations by 30-40% compared to untreated controls; this slowed, but did not stop, the growth of pest populations. Results indicate that use of fungi for thrips management will require integration with other control agents.