Entomopathogenic fungi naturally infecting the eucalypt bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), in Uruguay.

ABSTRACT. Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a sap-sucking insect that feeds on leaves of Eucalyptus. In Uruguay, it was detected in 2008 causing significant economic losses in Eucalyptus plantations. At present, there is no efficient control for this pest; thus, the use of biological control agents seems to be an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce the damage caused by this insect. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify the species of entomopathogenic fungi that naturally infect T.