Plant resistance factors are known to affect the viability of insect fungal pathogens. Different plant varieties can have different levels of plant pathogen resistance, which could potentially influence efficacy of insect pathogens. Leaves from several sweet corn inbreds and hybrids were examined for their influence on the efficacy of two different commercial strains of Beauveria bassiana against European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis) and fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda). Significant differences in mortality were noted for first instars on day two of assays of both insects species fed on treated leaves. There was some association between plant tissue resistance to Fusarium graminearum and efficacy of the B. bassiana treatments.
