Evaluation of synthetic formulations and formulations of entomopathogenic fungi for control of Blapstinus spp. darkling beetle on cantaloupe melon

A 3-year study to evaluate efficacy of  synthetic insecticide formulations and entomopathogenic fungi formulations of for control of Blapstinus spp. darkling beetle on cantaloupe melon was initiated at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (USDA-ARSUSDA-ARS-NCAUR) Laboratory at Peoria, IL and in field studies at UC Desert Research & Extension Center ( UC DREC) near Holtville, CA. We also evaluate potential soil treatments under laboratory conditions at the USDA-ARS-NCAUR Laboratory for mortality against field collected Blapstinus from the UC DREC. Entomopathogens evaluated for pathogenicity and infectivity were strains from both commercial and non-commercial sources. We found varying degrees of mortality from both commercial and non-commercial formulations of entomopathogens and mortality from commercial synthetic insecticide formulations during the 3-year study.