Beauveria bassiana vs Metarhizium
| Feature | Beauveria bassiana | Metarhizium anisopliae (Green Muscardine) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Tier B | Tier B |
| Type | Entomopathogenic fungus | Entomopathogenic fungus |
| Safety | Safe | Safe |
| Bee Safe | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pet Safe | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| OMRI Listed | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Residual | Spores persist 7-10 days in shaded conditions; UV degrades rapidly | Can persist in soil for months under favorable conditions |
| Best For | Whitefly and thrips programs in greenhouses or humid environments. Long-term biological suppression. | Soil grub control, fire ant suppression, tick management in lawns. |
Verdict
Beauveria for foliar/greenhouse whitefly and thrips; Metarhizium for soil grubs and ticks. Different environments.
Full Guide: Beauveria bassiana
Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that penetrates insect exoskeletons and colonizes the body from within, killing the host in 3-7 days. Most effective in humid conditions like greenhouses, it provides long-term biological suppression of whiteflies and thrips.
Full Guide: Metarhizium anisopliae (Green Muscardine)
Metarhizium anisopliae (green muscardine fungus) infects soil-dwelling insects and ticks through cuticle penetration, producing destruxin toxins that kill the host in 5-14 days. Dead insects sporulate green, spreading the fungus to nearby pests.