production of significantly smaller blastospores compared
with blastospores produced in media with lower concentrations
of glucose. The desiccation tolerance of blastospores
dried to less than 2.6 % moisture was not affected by the
glucose concentration of the medium but was isolate dependent.
Blastospores of isolate ESALQ1432 produced in media
containing 140 g glucose L−1 showed greater virulence toward
whitefly nymphs (Bemisia tabaci) as compared with blastospores
produced in media containing 40 g glucose L−1. These
results suggest a synergistic effect between glucose concentration
and oxygen availability on changing morphology and
enhancing the yield and efficacy of blastospores of
B. bassiana, thereby facilitating the development of a costeffective
production method for this blastospore-based
bioinsecticide.