Management of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with granular formulations of entomopathogenic fungi

► Granular entomopathogenic fungi were tested in soil against western flower thrips. ► Experimental and registered Beauveria strains were tested in cages in a greenhouse. ► Thrips damage was less on marigolds treated with experimental fungi than controls. ► Thrips numbers were less on marigolds treated with experimental fungi than controls. ► Experimental isolates outperformed the registered strain for managing thrips.