ABSTRACT
The role of disease as a factor in the observed nonseasonal population oscillations of insect species that affect man either as pests or beneficial organisms has long been known. That microorganisms were responsible for some of the diseases was first shown by Bassi in 1834 when the role of a fungus as the cause of an infectious disease in silkworms was realized [1]. LeConte [2] was one of the earliest to specifically suggest the use of insect pathogenic microorganisms against noxious insect species. Subsequently, the serious utilization of insect pathogens as microbial pesticides has waxed and waned over the ensuing century in response to the successes and failures of such attempts. The history is documented elsewhere [1].
