Endophytic Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana reduce the survival and fecundity of Aphis gossypii following contact with conidia and secondary metabolites

► The present study investigated the effects of two endophytic entomopathogens on A. gossypii. ► The conidia of both the fungi significantly reduced the reproduction and reproductive period of A. gossypii. ► In choice assays, significantly lower aphids settled on leaf discs treated with either the culture filtrates of L. lecanii or B. bassiana. ► Culture filtrates, mycelial extracts and ethyl acetate extracts of both the entomopathogens significantly reduced the survival of A. gossypii. ► It can be concluded that entomopathogens which occupy plant tissues have the potential to interact with insect pests in diverse ways.