Beauveria bassiana as a key player in strawberry IPM in California

California produces nearly 90% of the strawberries in the United States. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million pounds of insecticides and acaricides are applied on this crop to manage various arthropod pests.  Entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana is pathogenic to several strawberry pests including the western tarnished plant bug (Lygus hesperus) and the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).  Multiple studies in commercial fields demonstrated that B. bassiana can be an important tool for effectively managing key strawberry pests.  These studies also showed that entomopathogens like B. bassiana are not limited to organic farming and can be used in conventional production systems as a part of a good IPM strategy.  Outreach of successful studies helps build the confidence of the growers in entomopathogens.