BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND THEIR USE IN PLANTS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of increasing the resistance of a plant to a plant pathogen, pest, or insect, comprising inoculating a plant, a part of the plant, or a plant environment with a composition comprising a fungicide and a fungal entomopathogen, wherein the fungal entomopathogen comprises microsclerotia of a species of Metarhizium and is sensitive to the fungicide and has insecticidal activity in the presence of the fungicide, wherein the fungal entomopathogen is selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium robertsil 15013-1 (deposited under NRRL accession number 67073), Metarhizium robertisii 23013-3 (deposited under NRRL accession number 67075), and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 (deposited under NRRL accession number 67074).

Description

FIELD Entomopathogenic fungal strains, entomopathogenic fungal compositions and methods of using such strains and compositions to reduce overall insect damage. BACKGROUND There has long been a need for environmentally friendly compositions and methods to control or eradicate agriculturally important insect pests; that is, methods that are selective, environmentally inert, non-persistent and biodegradable, and that fit well into insect pest control schemes. COMPENDIUM One embodiment of the invention relates to a composition comprising a selected entomopathogenic fungal strain of Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium anisopliae. In certain embodiments, the fungal entomopathogen comprises a spore, a microsclerotia, or a conidia. In some embodiments, a fungal entomopathogen has insecticidal activity. In one embodiment, disclosure refers to a composition for increasing resistance to a plant pest, pathogen, or insect, or for increasing the health and / or yield of a plant comprising one or more strains. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι fungal entomopathogens selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1 (NRRL 67073), Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3 (NRRL 67075), Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 (NRRL 67074) or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the disclosure refers to a composition comprising an agriculturally accepted carrier and a fungal entomopathogen selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 or any combination thereof. In a further embodiment, the fungal entomopathogen comprises a spore, conidia, or microsclerotium.In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a composition comprising one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1 (NRRL 67073), Metarhizium robertsii 230133 (NRRL 67075), Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 (NRRL 67074), mutants of these strains, a metabolite or combination of metabolites produced by a strain disclosed herein exhibiting insecticidal activity towards a plant pest, pathogen or insect, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the disclosure refers to a composition comprising at least two entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, rj Lznz / E / YiAi Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 or any combination thereof, in an amount effective to achieve a growth-inhibiting effect on a plant pathogen, pest, or insect. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein further comprises a biocontrol agent selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, protozoa, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, botanical extracts, proteins, secondary metabolites, or inoculants. In another embodiment, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen and one or more agrochemically active compounds selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a bactericide, and a nematicide. In one embodiment, the fungicide comprises a fungicidal composition selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, tebuconazole, prothioconazole, ipconazole, penflufen, and sedaxane. In another embodiment, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen, wherein the fungal entomopathogen is resistant to a fungicide. In another embodiment, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen, wherein the fungal entomopathogen retains insecticidal activity in the presence of a fungicide. In yet another embodiment, the composition further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of a protectant, a chytooligosaccharide, an isoflavone, and a ryanodine receptor modulator. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein further comprises at least one seed, plant, or plant part. In one embodiment, the seed, plant, or plant part is genetically modified or is a transgenic seed, plant, or plant part. In a further embodiment, the genetically modified or transgenic seed, plant, or plant part comprises an insecticidal trait derived from a plant, bacterium, non-Bt bacterium, archaeon, insect, or animal. In some embodiments, the insecticidal trait comprises a beetle insecticidal trait. In some embodiments, an insecticidal trait may include a Bt trait, a non-Bt trait, and / or an RNAi trait. In some embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein are applied as a seed coating, an in-furrow application, or a foliar application. In one embodiment, a disclosed composition controls one or more plant pathogens, pests, or insects, or inhibits the growth of one or more plant pathogens, pests, or insects, including, but not limited to, a bacterium, fungus, virus, protozoan, nematode, or arthropod. In one embodiment, a composition disclosed herein controls or inhibits the growth of an insect, including, but not limited to, a beetle, hemipteran, or lepidopteran insect. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein controls or inhibits the growth of Diabrotica virgifera. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein is an effective quantity for providing pesticidal activity against bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In another embodiment, the composition is an effective quantity for providing pesticidal activity against coleopteran or lepidopteran insects. In yet another embodiment, the composition is an effective quantity for providing pesticidal activity against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein is in an effective amount to enhance plant performance, including, but not limited to, increasing root formation, increasing root mass, increasing root function, increasing shoot height, increasing shoot function, increasing the presence of flower buds, increasing flower bud formation, increasing seed germination, increasing yield, increasing total plant wet weight, and increasing total plant dry weight. In another embodiment, the disclosure refers to a method comprising applying a composition comprising one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι group consisting of Metarhizíum anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizíum robertsii 23013-3, Metarhízíum anisopliae 3213-1 or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method comprising applying a composition comprising one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 or any combination thereof to a seed, a plant, a part of a plant or soil in an amount effective to achieve an effect selected from the group consisting of: inhibiting a plant pathogen, pest or insect or preventing damage to a plant by a pathogen, pest or insect, improving plant performance, improving plant yield, improving plant vigor, increasing phosphate availability, increasing the production of a plant hormone, increasing root formation, increasing shoot height in a plant, increasing leaf length in a plant, increasing flower bud formation in a plant, increasing the total fresh weight of the plant,to increase the total dry weight of the plant and increase seed germination. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method comprising applying a composition comprising at least two entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1, or any combination thereof, to a seed, plant, part of a plant, or soil in an amount effective to achieve an effect selected from the group consisting of: inhibiting a plant pathogen, pest, or insect; preventing damage to a plant by a pathogen, pest, or insect; improving plant performance; improving plant yield; improving plant vigor; increasing phosphate availability; increasing the production of a plant hormone; increasing root formation; increasing shoot height in a plant; increasing leaf length in a plant; increasing flower bud formation in a plant; increasing the total fresh weight of the plant.to increase the total dry weight of the plant and increase seed germination. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed in this document further comprise applying a composition that further comprises a biocontrol agent, wherein the biocontrol agent is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, protozoa, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, botanical extracts, proteins, secondary metabolites, and inoculants. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed in this document further comprise applying a composition comprising at least two strains selected from the group consisting of: Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed herein further comprise applying a composition comprising one or more agrochemically active compounds selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a bactericide, and a nematicide. In one embodiment, the fungicide comprises a fungicidal composition selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, tebuconazole, prothioconazole, ipconazole, penflufen, and sedaxane. In another embodiment, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen, wherein the fungal entomopathogen is resistant to a fungicide. In another embodiment, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen, wherein the fungal entomopathogen retains insecticidal activity in the presence of a fungicide. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed in this document further comprise applying a composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of a protectant, a lipo-chitooligosaccharide, an isoflavone, and a ryanodine receptor modulator. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed herein further comprise applying the composition in an effective amount to inhibit the growth of a plant pathogen including, but not limited to, bacteria, a fungus, a nematode, an insect, a virus, and a protozoan. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed herein further comprise applying the composition in an effective amount to provide pesticidal activity against bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In another embodiment, the composition is an effective amount to provide pesticidal activity against Coleoptera, Hemiptera, or Lepidoptera insects. In yet another embodiment, the composition is an effective amount to provide pesticidal activity against Diabrotica virginifera virginifera. In another embodiment, the methods disclosed herein relate to increasing the durability of a beetle insecticidal trait of a seed, plant part, or genetically modified or transgenic plant against a plant pathogen, pest, or insect, comprising inoculating a seed, plant part, or genetically modified or transgenic plant with a composition comprising a fungal entomopathogen selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsi 23013-3, and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1, wherein the seed, plant part, or genetically modified or transgenic plant comprises a beetle insecticidal trait. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS R / frfrnn / Lznz / B / Yi Figure 1. Results of the CRWNIS field study of liquid or sequential application of formulations of strains 15013-1, 23013-3, and 3213-1 under insect pressure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The embodiments of the invention are not limited by the exemplary methods and disclosed materials, and any method and material similar or equivalent to those described may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of this invention. The numerical ranges include the numbers that define the range. The headings provided are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of this invention, which can be obtained by reference to the descriptive memorandum. Throughout this specification, other definitions of terms may appear. It should be understood that embodiments of the invention are not limited to the particular embodiments described, and additional embodiments may vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be limiting, as the scope of embodiments of the invention will be limited only by the appended and equivalent claims. The articles "uno" and "una" are used to refer to one or more than one (it is Rj^nm Lznz / E / Yi (that is, at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. For example, one element means one or more elements. As used in this document, administer refers to the action of introducing a strain and / or composition into an environment to inhibit pathogens, pests, or insects or to improve plant performance. As used herein, the term agrochemically active compounds means any substance that is or can be commonly used to treat plants, including, but not limited to, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, molluscicides, protectants, plant growth regulators, and plant nutrients, as well as microorganisms. The compositions disclosed herein may comprise fungicides, which may include, but are not limited to, respiration inhibitors such as azoxystrobin, which target complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain; tubulin inhibitors such as thiabendazole, which bind to beta-tubulin; the osmotic overload-related kinase inhibitor fludioxonil; and an RNA polymerase inhibitor of Oomycetes, a group of fungus-like organisms, such as metalaxyl.Sterol biosynthesis inhibitors, including C-14 demethylase inhibitors of the sterol biosynthesis pathway (commonly referred to as demethylase inhibitors or DMIs), such as tebuconazole, prothioconazole, and ipconazole; a respiration inhibitor targeting complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, such as penflufen; a respiration inhibitor targeting complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, such as sedaxane. Other classes of fungicides with different or similar modes of action can be found at frac.info / docs / default-source / publications / frac-codelist / frac-code-list-2016.pdf?sfvrsn==2 (accessible on the World Wide Web using the prefix www).(See Hirooka and Ishii (2013), Journal of General Plant Pathology). A fungicide may comprise all or any combination of different classes of fungicides as described herein. In certain embodiments, a composition disclosed herein comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, fludioxonil, and metalaxyl. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein comprises tebuconazole. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein comprises prothioconazole, metalaxyl, and penflufen. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein comprises ipconazole and metalaxyl. In another embodiment, a composition disclosed herein comprises sedaxane. As used herein, a composition may be a liquid, a heterogeneous mixture, a homogeneous mixture, a powder, a solution, a dispersion, or any combination thereof. As used herein, effective quantity refers to an amount of entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition sufficient to inhibit the growth of a pathogenic microorganism or to impede the growth rate of the pathogenic microorganism. In another embodiment, the term effective quantity refers to an amount of entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition sufficient to enhance plant performance. In another embodiment, the term effective quantity refers to an amount of entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition sufficient to control, eliminate, inhibit, and reduce the quantity, generation, or growth of a pathogen, pest, or insect. In another embodiment, the term effective quantity refers to an amount of entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition sufficient to prevent damage from a pathogen, pest, or insect.An expert in the field will recognize that an effective quantity of entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition may not reduce the number of pathogens, pests, or insects, but is effective in decreasing damage to plants and / or plant parts caused by a pathogen, pest, or insect. For example, an effective pesticide quantity may reduce the generation of a pathogen, pest, or insect, or the damage to it. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι seeds, roots, shoots or foliage of the plants that are treated compared to those that are not treated. As used in this document, the expression entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition includes, but is not limited to, conidiospores, spores, mycelia, microsclerotia and / or any other life cycle stage of a fungal entomopathogen. As used in this document, the term inhibit means to destroy, prevent, reduce, resist, control, diminish, slow, or otherwise interfere with the growth or survival of a pathogen, pest, or insect compared to the growth or survival of the pathogen, pest, or insect in an untreated control. Any of the terms inhibit, destroy, prevent, control, diminish, slow, interfere, resist, or reduce may be used interchangeably.In one embodiment, inhibition means destroying, preventing, controlling, reducing, resisting, diminishing, slowing, or otherwise interfering with the growth, generation, or survival of a pathogen, pest, or insect by at least approximately 3% up to at least approximately 100%, or any value in between, for example, at least approximately 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% compared to the growth or survival of the pathogen, pest, or insect in an untreated control. The amount of inhibition can be measured as described herein or by other methods known in the art.As used in this document, "protects a plant from a pathogen, pest, or insect pest" is intended to indicate the limitation or elimination of damage related to the pathogen, pest, or insect to a plant and / or part of a plant, for example, by inhibiting the ability of the pathogen, pest, or insect to grow, emerge, feed, and / or reproduce, or by eliminating the pathogen, pest, or insect. As used in this document, "pesticide and / or insecticidal activity" refers to the activity of the compound, composition, and / or method that protects a plant and / or part of a plant from a pathogen, pest, or insect. In one embodiment of the invention, the inhibition of a pathogen, pest, or insect lasts or provides protection for more than one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, one week, two weeks, three weeks, one month, or more after applying an entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition disclosed herein to the material subjected to it. In another embodiment, the inhibition of a pathogen, pest, or insect lasts from one to seven days, from seven to 14 days, from 14 to 21 days, or from 21 to 30 days or more. In another embodiment, the inhibition of the growth of a pathogen, pest, or insect lasts or provides protection for longer than the time from application to the emergence of adults of the pathogen, pest, or insect. As used in this document, the term "genetically modified" is intended to indicate any species that contains a genetic trait, loci, or sequence not present in the species or strain prior to manipulation. A genetically modified plant may be transgenic, cisgenic, have its genome edited, or be enhanced to contain a new genetic trait, loci, or sequence. A genetically modified plant may be prepared by means known to those skilled in the art, such as transformation by bombardment, by a Cas / CRISPR or TALENS system, or by breeding techniques. As used in this document, a trait is a new or modified locus or sequence in a genetically modified plant, including, but not limited to, a transgenic plant. A trait may confer herbicide or insect resistance to the genetically modified plant.As used in this document, a transgenic plant, plant part, or seed refers to a plant, plant part, or seed that contains at least one heterologous gene that allows the expression of a polynucleotide or polypeptide not found naturally in the plant. As used herein, the term "environment of a plant or part of a plant" is intended to mean the area surrounding the plant or part of a plant, including, but not limited to, the soil, the air, or in the furrow. The environment of a plant or part of a plant may be in close proximity to, in contact with, adjacent to, or in the same field as the plant or part of a plant. The compositions described herein may be applied to the environment of the plant or part of a plant as a seed treatment, as a foliar application, as a granular application, as a soil application, or as an encapsulated application. As used herein, "in the furrow" is intended to mean within or near the area where a seed is planted. The compositions disclosed herein may be applied in the furrow concurrently or simultaneously with a seed.In another embodiment, the compositions disclosed in this document can be applied sequentially, before or after planting a seed. As used in this document, the term "different mode of action" refers to a pesticide composition that controls a pathogen, pest, or insect through a route or receptor that is different from another pesticide composition. As used in this document, the term "different mode of action" includes the pesticidal effects of one or more pesticide compositions on different binding sites (i.e., different toxin receptors and / or different sites on the same toxin receptor) in the intestinal membranes of insects. R / ++nn / Lznz / B / Yi through the RNA interference pathway for different target genes. As used in this document, the expression pathogen, pest or insect includes, but is not limited to, pathogenic fungi, bacteria, mites, ticks, pathogenic microorganisms and nematodes, as well as insects of the orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, Trichoptera and others including, but not limited to, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, Diabrotica speciosa and Diabrotica barberi. The embodiments of the present invention are useful in inhibiting larvae and adults of the order Coleoptera of the families Anthribidae, Bruchidae, and Curculionidae (including, but not limited to: Anthonomus grandis Boheman (weevil); Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Bushel (rice water weevil); Sitophilus granarias Linnaeus (grain weevil); S. oryzae Linnaeus (rice weevil); Hypera punctata Fabricius (carnation leaf weevil); Cylindrocopturus adspersus LeConte (sunflower stem weevil); Smicronyx fulvus LeConte (red sunflower seed weevil); S. sordidus LeConte (gray sunflower seed weevil); Sphenophorus maidis Chittenden (corn weevil)); flea beetles, cucumber beetles, and caterpillars. Rj^nm Lznz / E / Yi roots, leaf beetles, potato beetles and leaf miners of the family Chrysomelidae (including, but not limited to: Leptinotarsa ​​decemlineata Say (Colorado potato beetle); Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (western corn rootworm); D. barberi Smith and Lawrence (pinworm); D.undecimpunctata howardi Barber (golden stink beetle); Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer (corn flea beetle); Phyllotreta cruciferas Goeze (cruciferous flea beetle); Phyllotreta striolata (striped flea beetle); Colaspis brunnea Fabricius (grape colaspis); Oulema melanopus Linnaeus (cereal flea beetle); Zygogramma exclamationis Fabricius (sunflower beetle)); beetles of the family Coccinellidae (including, but not limited to: Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Mexican bean beetle)); chafer-type beetles and other beetles of the family Scarabaeidae (including, but not limited to: Popillia japonica Newman (Japanese beetle); Cyclocephala borealis Arrow (northern masked chafer, white trumpet beetle); C.iimnaculata Olivier (southern masked chafer, whitethroat); Rhizotrogus majalis Razoumowsky (European chafer); Phyllophaga crinita Burmeister (whitethroat); Ligyrus gibbosus De Geer (carrot beetle)); carpet beetles of the family Dermestidae; wireworms of the family Elateridae, Eleodes spp., Melanotus. R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi spp.; Conoderus spp.; Limonius spp.; Agrietes spp.; Ctenicera spp.; Aeolus spp.; bark beetles of the family Scolytidae and beetles of the family Tenebrionidae. Methods for measuring pesticide activity are well known in the art. See, for example, Czapla and Lang, (1990) J. Econ. Entomol. 83:2480-2485; Andrews, et al., (1988) Biochem. J. 252:199-206; Marrone, et al., (1985) J. of Economic Entomology 78:290-293 and U.S. Patent No. 5,743,477, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Generally, the pesticide is mixed and used in feeding trials. See, for example, Marrone, et al., (1985) J. of Economic Entomology 78:290-293. Such tests may include putting the plants in contact with one or more pests and determining the plant's ability to survive and / or cause the death of the pest. As used in this document, the term "plant" refers to all plants, parts of plants, and plant populations, including desirable and undesirable wild plants, crop varieties, transgenic plants, and plant varieties (whether or not they are protected by plant variety or plant breeder's rights). Crop varieties and plant varieties may be plants obtained by conventional propagation and breeding methods that may be assisted or supplemented by R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι one or more biotechnological methods such as by the use of double haploids, protoplast fusion, random and directed mutagenesis, molecular or genetic markers or by bioengineering and genetic engineering methods. The embodiments of the invention can be used, in general, for any plant species, including, but not limited to, monocots and dicots. Examples of plants of interest include, but are not limited to, maize (Zea mays), Brassica sp. (e.g. B. napus, B. rapa, B. júncea), particularly those Brassica species useful as sources of seed oil, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), rice (Oryza sativa), rye (Secale cereale), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum vulgare), millet (e.g. pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), wheat (Triticum aestivum), soybean (Glycine max), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), cotton (Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava (Manihot esnivela), coffee (Coffea spp.), coconut (Cocos nucifera), pineapple (Ananas comosus), citrus trees (Citrus spp.), cacao (Theobroma cacao), tea (Camellia sinensis), banana (Musa spp.), avocado (Persea americana), fig (Ficus casica), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), olive (Olea europaea), papaya (Carica papaya), cashew (Anacardlum occidentale), macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), almond (Prunus amygdalus), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), sugar cane (Saccharum spp.), oats, barley, ornamental plants and conifers. As used in this document, the term "plant parts" refers to all above-ground and below-ground parts and organs of plants, such as shoots, leaves, flowers, and roots, including, for example, leaves, needles, stems, branches, flowers, fruiting bodies, fruits, and seeds, as well as roots, tubers, corms, and rhizomes. Crops and generative vegetative propagation material, such as cuttings, corms, rhizomes, tubers, stolons, and seeds, are also considered plant parts. As used herein, the term spore includes, but is not limited to, conidiospores, spores, mycelia, microsclerotia, and / or any other life cycle stage of a fungal entomopathogen. An aerial conidiospore (AC) refers to conidiospores formed by the asexual development cycle on the surface of an agar medium or other solid substrate of appropriate composition. As used herein, the expression submerged spores refers to submerged conidiospores and / or blastospores that develop in liquid culture. As used in this document, the term viable refers to a microbial cell, propagule, or spore that is metabolically active or capable of differentiating. Therefore, propagules, such as spores, are viable when they are dormant and capable of germinating. Biological control of agriculturally significant insect pests using microbial agents such as fungi, bacteria, or other insect species provides an environmentally friendly and commercially attractive alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. Biopesticides generally present a lower risk of pollution and environmental damage, and they offer greater target specificity compared to traditional broad-spectrum chemical insecticides. Furthermore, biopesticide production is typically less expensive, thus improving economic performance for a wide variety of crops. There is evidence that certain species of microorganisms of the genus Bacillus possess pesticidal activity against a range of insect pests, including Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and others. Among the most successful biological control agents discovered to date are Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Bacillus popilliae. Insect pathogenicity has also been attributed to strains of B. larvae, B. lentimorbus, B. sphaericus, and B. cereus. Microbial insecticides, particularly those derived from Bacillus strains, have played an important role in agriculture as alternatives to chemical pest control. Crop plants with enhanced insect resistance have been developed by genetically engineering them to produce pesticidal proteins from Bacillus. For example, maize and cotton plants have been genome-manipulated to produce isolated and / or genome-manipulated pesticidal proteins from Bt strains (referred to herein as a Bt trait). These genetically modified crops are now widely used in agriculture and have provided farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional insect control methods. Although they have proven commercially very successful, these genetically modified insect-resistant crops provide resistance only to a narrow range of economically important insect pests. In some cases, insects can develop resistance to different insecticidal compounds. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι which raises the need to identify alternative biological control agents for pest control. The embodiments of the invention relate to entomopathogenic fungal strains, entomopathogenic fungal compositions, and methods of using the strains and compositions. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic strains have insecticidal activity and can find use in the inhibition, control, or elimination of a pathogen, pest, or insect, including, but not limited to, fungi, pathogenic fungi, bacteria, mites, ticks, pathogenic microorganisms, and nematodes, as well as insects of the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, Trichoptera, etc., particularly Coleoptera, including, but not limited to, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, and Diabrotica barberi, and for producing compositions with pesticidal activity. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strain or strains are selected from the group consisting of: Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 and combinations thereof. Metarhízíum anísoplíae 15013-1 (NRRL 67073) was deposited on June 18, 2015 in the Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection (NRRL), 1815 North University Street, Peoria, 111., 61604 and was given accession number NRRL 67073. The deposits were made in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purpose of Patent Proceedings. Metarhizium anisopliae 23013-3 (NRRL 67075) was deposited on June 18, 2015, at the Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection (NRRL), 1815 North University Street, Peoria, IL 61604 and was given accession number NRRL 67075. Deposits were made pursuant to the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purpose of Patent Proceedings. Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1 (NRRL 67074) was deposited on June 18, 2015, at the Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection (NRRL), 1815 North University Street, Peoria, IL 61604 and was given accession number NRRL 67074. Deposits were made pursuant to the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purpose of Patent Proceedings. In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogenic product in a liquid fermentation is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method consists of first generating aerial conidiospores of a fungal entomopathogen on an agar medium, and then inoculating the aerial conidiospores into a liquid medium to generate a fungal entomopathogenic product. In another embodiment, a method consists of first generating aerial conidiospores of a fungal entomopathogen on a solid substrate, including, but not limited to, an agar medium or another solid medium of appropriate composition, followed by inoculating the aerial conidiospores into a liquid medium to generate a fungal entomopathogenic culture, and then inoculating the fungal entomopathogen culture into a liquid medium to generate a fungal entomopathogenic product.In another embodiment, a first fungal entomopathogen inoculation culture can be used to generate a second fungal entomopathogen inoculation culture, wherein the second inoculation culture is used to inoculate a liquid medium to generate a fungal entomopathogen product. A liquid medium used to produce a fungal entomopathogen product can contain minerals, vitamins, a carbon source, and a complex nitrogen source. In another embodiment, a nitrogen source is a complex source comprising carbon, but is not a carbon source. In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogen product comprising a spore, vegetative mycelium, submerged spore, and / or microsclerotia is disclosed. In one embodiment, a composition comprises a fermentation product of a fungal entomopathogen from a liquid fermentation.A fermentation product can be vacuum dried, spray dried, or fluidized bed dried for use in controlling plant pathogens, pests, or insects. In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogenic product in a liquid fermentation is disclosed, wherein the liquid fermentation comprises a liquid medium comprising minerals, vitamins, a carbon source, and a nitrogen source. In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogenic product in a liquid culture using one carbon source and one nitrogen source is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogenic product in a liquid culture using two carbon sources and one nitrogen source is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogenic product in a liquid culture using two or more carbon sources and one nitrogen source is disclosed. In one embodiment, one carbon source is glucose.In another embodiment, a carbon source comprises a molecule of fructose, galactose, sorbitol, sorbose, sucrose, arabinose, maltodextrin, ribose, or xylose, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, a first carbon source is at a limiting concentration. In a further embodiment, a second carbon source creates a limiting concentration. Rj^nm Lznz / E / Yi non-optimal or overload condition that changes a physiological state of a fungal entomopathogen. In another embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogen in a liquid culture is disclosed using a carbon source, a first nitrogen source, and a second nitrogen source, wherein the first nitrogen source is at a limiting concentration. In another embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogen in a liquid culture is disclosed, using a carbon source and a nitrogen source and controlling a fermentation parameter. Controlling the fermentation parameter creates a suboptimal or overload condition that alters the physiological state of the fungal entomopathogen. In one embodiment, a fermentation parameter may include a pH level, a carbon dioxide evolution rate, a percentage of dissolved oxygen, an agitation profile, a sugar supply rate, or any other measured parameter of a fungal entomopathogen fermentation that can create a suboptimal or overload condition, causing a change in the physiological state of the fungal entomopathogen. The physiological changes (switch to an asexual cycle) can occur as a result of imposing overload or suboptimal conditions on a fungal entomopathogen. (See Steyaert et al.)(2010), Microbiology and Gao et al. (2007) Mycol. Res). In another embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogen in a liquid culture is disclosed, using at least two carbon sources and one nitrogen source and controlling a fermentation parameter, wherein the control of the fermentation parameter creates an optimum or overload condition that causes a change in the physiological state of a fungal entomopathogen. In one embodiment, obtaining aerial conidiospores of a fungal entomopathogen comprises, first, generating aerial conidiospores of the fungal entomopathogen on an agar medium or a solid-state medium (Dorta and Arcas (1998), Enzyme Microb. Technol.). In one embodiment, a method for producing a fungal entomopathogenic product comprises generating aerial conidiospores (ACs) used as inoculum for liquid cultures or liquid fermentations. Such methods include, but are not limited to, generating ACs by inoculating a fungal entomopathogenic strain onto large potato dextrose agar (PDA) or VM agar plates and incubating at 28°C for approximately 2 to 3 weeks; flooding the plates with a 0.05% Tween 80 solution; and resuspending ACs in the solution by gently scraping the surface of the plate culture. In one embodiment, the AC suspension can be filtered and the ACs combined to a high concentration. In a further embodiment, an AC concentration can be determined using a hemocytometer, the ACs centrifuged, and the resulting solution resuspended. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι AC sediment using a 15% glycerol solution in 0.05% Tween 80. In another embodiment, aerial conidiospores can also be obtained by solid-state fermentation (Dorta and Arcas (1998), Enzyme Microb. Technol.). In one embodiment, the production of a fungal entomopathogenic product in a liquid culture comprises medium volumes of 50 mL at shaker flask fermentation scale, 121 mL at benchtop fermentation scale, 100 mL at bioreactor fermentation scale, or up to 600,000 mL at production fermentation scale. The medium for the seeding or production cultures may comprise the components shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3. At shaker flask scale, the medium may be directly inoculated with aerial conidiospores (AC) at a final concentration of approximately 5 x 10⁶ AC / mL. At benchtop or bioreactor scale, the medium may be inoculated using a seeding culture of approximately 40 mL or 400 mL, respectively. A seeding culture may be produced to generate biomass for a production culture.Seed cultures can be generated by further incubating a culture for approximately 1 to 7 days at approximately 28°C, with shaking at approximately 100 to 300 rpm. Following the addition of an inoculum, production cultures can be incubated for approximately 4 to 7 days at approximately 16°C to 32°C on an orbital shaker at approximately 300 rpm on a shake flask scale; approximately 500 to 1200 rpm on a benchtop scale; or at shaking speeds equivalent to the peripheral speed of a benchtop impeller on a bioreactor scale. In certain embodiments, water can be added to reduce the viscosity of a broth during fermentation. The pressure in a fermentation tank can be set at approximately 0.5 to 1 bar. In certain embodiments, a 50% (w / w) fructose solution can be supplied after consuming an initial glucose-fructose solution.In certain implementations, a seeding or production culture may have no pH control, unilateral pH control (base only), or bilateral pH control (base and acid addition). During and / or at the end of a fermentation, a variety of parameters may be recorded, such as, but not limited to, microsclerotia (MS) production, submerged spore (SS) production, biomass generation expressed as grams of dry cell weight per kilogram of broth (DCW), carbon evolution rate (CER), oxygen uptake rate (OUR), dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia concentration, pH, feed rate, carbon source content, and agitation. Table 1. Vitamins present in all media. Vitamins Final concentration [mg / 1] Thiamine-HC1 (Vit. Bl) 0.5 Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.5 Calcium pantothenate (Vit. B5) 0.5 Nicotinic acid (Vit. B3) 0.5 Pyridoxamine 0.5 Thioctic acid (Lipoic acid) 0.5 Folic acid (Vit. B9) 0.05 D-Biotin (Vit. B7) 0.05 Cobalamin (Vit. B12) 0.05 Table 2. Basal salts present in all media. Basal Salts Final Concentration [amount / 1] KH2PO4 4 g CaCl2-2H2O 0.8 g MgSO4 -7H2O 0.6 g 0.1 M COCl2 1.555 ml 10 g / 1 MnSO4 -H2O 1.6 ml 10 g / 1 ZnSO4·7H2O 1.4 ml Table 3. Sources of carbon and nitrogen in different liquid media. Source concentrations in different mediums Soja 1OC:1N Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Fru Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Gal Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Sorbitol Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Sorbosa O i-ι ω ·· oP O lo vd ίΰ 0 -m oP O LO ω co Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Ara Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Mal Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Rib Soja 1OC:1N 25%Glu75%Xil Harina de soja 45 g 45 g 45 g 45 g 45 g 45g 45g 45 g 45 g 45 g D- Glucose 49.5 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g 12.3 75 g D- Fructos a 37.1 25 g D- Galacto sa 37.1 25 g D- Sorbitol 1 37.1 25 g L- Sorbose 37.1 25 g Saccharin a 37.1 25 g L- Arabino sa 37.1 25 g Maltodextrin 37.1 25 g Dribose 37.1 25 g Dxylose 37.1 25 g *In some cases, soy harine can be replaced by other nitrogen sources such as, but not limited to, algodón harina, lever extract or casaminoacidos; In some cases the relationship between carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) was rj fr^nn / Lznz / E / YiAi 30:1 or 50:1. In certain embodiments, the recovery and formulation of a fungal entomopathogenic product (Metarhizium spp.) from a liquid culture comprises cooling and collecting a fermentation broth. A heater can be clarified with approximately 1x to 2x the volume of a fermentation broth, and the diluted broth is combined with the net broth. A diluted fungal entomopathogenic material in a fermentation broth can be treated with DE mixture. A treated fermentation broth can be filtered through a Büchner filter. A filter cake can be processed immediately or stored in a cold room until processing. A wet filter cake can be decomposed and dried in a vacuum dryer for approximately 48 to 5 days. The dried filter cake can be ground to create a dry powdered fungal entomopathogenic end product. One embodiment relates to a composition comprising or consisting of, or essentially consisting of, an entomopathogenic fungal strain selected from the group consisting of: Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1. In another embodiment, the composition comprises or essentially consists of at least two or more entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from the group consisting of: Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013rj Lznz / E / YiAi 3. Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1. In a further embodiment, the composition comprises, consists of, or essentially consists of the entomopathogenic fungal strains selected from the group consisting of: Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsi 23013-3, and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1. In one embodiment, a composition is a biologically pure culture of Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsi 23013-3, and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1, and combinations thereof. An embodiment of the invention relates to a composition comprising the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein and one or more compounds or agents selected from the group consisting of: agrochemically active compounds, biocontrol agents, lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO) compounds, isoflavones, quinazolines, insecticidal compounds, azolopyrimidinylamines, polymeric compounds, ionic compounds, substituted thiophenes, substituted dithiynes, fluopyram, enaminocarbonyl compounds, strigolactone compounds, and dithiyne-tetracarboximide compounds and combinations thereof. A further embodiment relates to the use of a first composition comprising the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein and a second composition comprising one or more compounds or agents selected from the group consisting of: compounds R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι agrochemically active, biocontrol agents, lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO) compounds, isoflavones, quinazolines, insecticidal compounds, azolopyrimidinylamines, polymeric compounds, ionic compounds, substituted thiophenes, substituted dithiynes, fluopyram, enaminocarbonyl compounds, strigolactone compounds and dithiino-tetracarboximide compounds and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, disclosure refers to a composition comprising one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein or one or more biocontrol agents.As used in this document, the term “biocontrol agent” (BCA) includes bacteria, fungi or yeasts, protozoa, viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes, and botanical extracts, or products produced by microorganisms including proteins or secondary metabolites, and inoculants that have one or both of the following characteristics: (1) inhibits or reduces plant infestation and / or growth of pathogens, pests, or insects, including but not limited to pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes, as well as arthropod pests such as insects, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes, or that inhibits plant infestation and / or growth of a combination of plant pathogens, pests, or insects; (2) enhances plant performance; (3) enhances plant production; (4) enhances plant vigor; and (5) enhances plant health. In one embodiment, disclosure refers to a composition comprising an entomopathogenic fungal strain disclosed herein and an agrochemically active compound. Agrochemically active compounds are substances that are or can be used to treat or apply to a seed, plant, plant part, or the environment of the seed, plant, or plant part, including, but not limited to, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, molluscicides, protectants, plant growth regulators, plant nutrients, chemical entities with a known mechanism of action, additional microorganisms, and biocontrol agents. In one embodiment, a composition disclosed herein comprises one or more agrochemically active compounds, wherein one compound is chlorantraniliprole (Rynaxypyr®). In another embodiment, the composition comprises one or more agrochemically active compounds, wherein one compound is cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr®). In another embodiment, the composition comprises both chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole. In one embodiment, a first and a second composition disclosed herein may be applied simultaneously to a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition may be applied to a seed followed by R! ^00117071^1^1^ application of a second composition to the seed. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the seed followed by the application of a first composition to the seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a second composition to the plant. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a first composition to the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a second composition to a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a first composition to a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of the seed.In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a first composition to the seed's environment. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a seed followed by the application of a second composition to a plant's environment. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a seed, followed by the application of a first composition to a plant's environment. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied. R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi composition to a seed followed by application of a second composition to the surroundings of a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a seed followed by application of a first composition to the surroundings of a part of the plant. In one embodiment, a first and a second composition disclosed herein may be applied simultaneously to a plant. In another embodiment, a first composition may be applied to a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition may be applied to a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition may be applied to a plant followed by the application of a second composition to a seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition may be applied to a plant followed by the application of a first composition to a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition may be applied to a plant followed by the application of a second composition to a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition may be applied to a plant followed by the application of a first composition to a part of the plant.In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a seed. In another. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In one embodiment, a first and a second composition disclosed herein can be applied simultaneously to a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to a seed. In another In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to a plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to a plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a seed. In yet another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a part of the plant.In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to the surroundings of a plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to the surroundings of a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to the surroundings of a part of the plant. In one embodiment, a first and a second composition disclosed herein can be applied simultaneously to the environment of a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of the seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of the seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a second composition to a seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a first composition to a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a second composition to the plant.In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a first composition to the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a second composition to a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a first composition to a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a plant. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a plant.In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a seed followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In one embodiment, a first and a second composition disclosed herein can be applied simultaneously to the environment of a plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a second composition to a seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a first composition to a seed. R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi composition to a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a second composition to a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a first composition to a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a seed.In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of the seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In one realization, a first and a second composition disclosed in this document may be applied to R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi at the same time to the environment of a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of a part of the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to a seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant followed by the application of a first composition to a seed. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant followed by the application of a second composition to the plant.In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant, followed by the application of a first composition to the plant. In another embodiment, a first composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant, followed by the application of a second composition to the environment of a seed. In yet another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant, followed by the application of a first composition to the environment of the seed. In another embodiment, it may be possible. R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi applying a first composition to the environment of a part of the plant followed by applying a second composition to the environment of a plant. In another embodiment, a second composition can be applied to the environment of a part of the plant, followed by applying a first composition to the environment of a plant. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to the use of the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein with a composition comprising an insecticidal protein from Pseudomonas sp. such as PSEEN3174 (Monalysin; (2011) PLoS Pathogens 7:1-13); from Pseudomonas proteos strain CHAO and Pf-5 (formerly fluorescens) (Pechy-Tarr, (2008) Eovirroomeotal Microbiology 10:2368-2386; GenBank accession number EU400157); of Pseudomonas taíwanensis (Liu, et al., (2010) J. Agrio. Food Chem., 58:12343-12349) and of Pseudomonas pseudoalcligenes (Zhang, et al., (2009) Annals of Microbiology 59:45-50 and Li, et al., (2007) Plant Cell Tiss. Organ Cult. 89:159-168); insecticidal proteins from Photorhabdus sp. and Xenorhabdus sp. (Hinchliffe, et al., (2010) The Open Toxicology Journal, 3:101-118 and Morgan, et al., (2001) Applied and Envir. Micro. 67:2062-2069), U.S. Patent No. 6,048,838, and U.S. Patent No. 6,379,946; a PIP-1 polypeptide from U.S. Patent PublicationUS20140007292; an AflP-lA and / or AfIP-IB polypeptide from U.S. Patent Publication US20140033361; a PHI-4 polypeptide from U.S. Patent Publication US20140274885 and US20160040184; a PIP-47 polypeptide from PCT Publication Number US14 / 51063, a PIP-72 polypeptide from PCT Publication Number WO2015 / 038734; a PtIP-50 polypeptide and a PtIP-65 polypeptide from the. PCT Publication Number WO2015 / 120270; a PtIP-83 polypeptide from PCT Publication Number WO2015 / 120276; a PtIP-96 polypeptide from PCT Publication Serial Number PCT / US15 / 55502; and δ-endotoxins including, but not limited to, the Cryl, Cry2, Cry3, Cry4, Cry5, and Cry6 classes, Cry7, Cry8, Cry9, CrylO, Cryll, Cryl2, Cryl3, Cryl4, Cryl5, Cryl6, Cryl7, Cryl8, Cryl9, Cry20, Cry21, Cry22, Cry23, Cry24, Cry25, Cry26, Cry27, Cry28, Cry29, Cry30, Cry31, Cry32, Cry33, Cry34, Cry35, Cry36, Cry37, Cry38, Cry39, Cry40, Cry41, Cry42, Cry43, Cry44, Cry45, Cry46, Cry47, Cry49, Cry51, and Cry55 are the δ-endotoxin genes and the cytolytic cytl and cyt2 genes of B. thuringiensis. Other Cry proteins are well known to experts in the field (see Crickmore et al., Bacillus thuringiensis toxin nomenclature (2011), available online at lifesci.sussex.ac.uk / home / Neil_Crickmore / Bt / ). The insecticidal activity of Cry proteins is well known to experts in the field (for a review, see van Frannkenhuyzen, (2009) J. Invert. Path. 101: 1-16). The use of Cry proteins as traits in transgenic plants rj Lznz / E / YiA is well known to an expert in the field and transgenic plants for Cry include, but are not limited to, CrylAc, CrylAc+Cry2Ab, CrylAb, CrylA.105, CrylF, CrylFa2, CrylF+CrylAc, Cry2Ab, Cry3A, mCry3A, Cry3Bbl, Cry34Abl, Cry35Abl, Vip3A, mCry3A, Cry9c, and CBI-Bt have received approval from regulatory agencies (see Sanahuja, (2011) Plant Biotech Journal 9:283-300 and the CERA (2010) GM Crop Database Center for Environmental Risk Assessment (CERA), ILSI Research Foundation, Washington DC at cera-gmc.org / index.php?action=gm_crop_database, accessible online using the prefix www). As used herein, a non-Bt trait refers to any insecticidal gene or trait in a plant derived from or modified from a naturally occurring bacterium, plant, or animal, excluding any strain of Bacillus thuringiensis. Non-Bt traits include, but are not limited to, an iRNA or dsRNA trait, a Pseudomonas-derived trait, or a trait. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι derived from plants. In one embodiment, disclosure refers to the use of the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein with an RNAi trait comprising a silencing construct of one or more polynucleotides of interest that causes the suppression of one or more target polypeptides of the pathogen, pest, or insect. A silencing element is intended to be a polynucleotide that, when in contact with or ingested by a pest, can reduce or eliminate the level or expression of a target polynucleotide or the polypeptide encoded by it. The silencing element employed can reduce or eliminate the expression level of the target sequence by influencing the level of the target RNA transcript or, alternatively, by influencing translation and thereby affecting the level of the encoded polypeptide.Silencing elements may include, but are not limited to, a coding suppressor element, a non-coding suppressor element, a double-stranded RNA, a siRNA, a miRNA, a miRNA, or a hairpin suppressor element. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to the use of the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein with a composition comprising nucleic acid molecules that include silencing elements to target the vacuolar ATPase subunit, useful for controlling a beetle pest population or infestation as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012 / 0198586. PCT Publication WO 2012 / 055982 describes ribonucleic acid (RNA or double-stranded RNA) that inhibits or downregulates the expression of a target gene encoding: an insect ribosomal protein such as ribosomal protein L19, ribosomal protein L40, or ribosomal protein S27A; a proteasome subunit ofRj^nm Lznz / E / Yi insect such as Rpn6 protein, Pros 25 protein, Rpn2 protein, proteasome beta subunit 1 protein, or Pros beta 2 protein; an insect COPI vesicle β-coatomer, COPI vesicle γ-coatomer, β'-coatomer protein, or COPI vesicle ζ-coatomer; an insect Tetraspanin 2 A protein that is a putative transmembrane domain protein; an insect protein belonging to the actin family such as Actin 5C; an insect ubiquitin-5E protein; an insect Sec23 protein that is a GTPase activator involved in intracellular protein transport; an insect crinkled protein that is an unconventional myosin involved in motor activity; an insect crooked neck protein involved in regulating nuclear alternative splicing of mRNA; an insect vacuolar H+-ATPase G subunit protein; and an insect Tbp-1 such as the binding proteinThe PCT publication WO 2007 / 035650 describes a ribonucleic acid (RNA or double-stranded RNA) that inhibits or negatively regulates the expression of a target gene encoding Snf7. The US patent application publication 2011 / 0054007 describes polynucleotide silencing elements targeting RPS10. The US patent application publications 2014 / 0275208 and US2015 / 0257389 describe polynucleotide silencing elements that target RyanR and PAT3. PCT publications WO 2016 / 060911, WO 2016 / 060912, WO 2016 / 060913, and WO 2016 / 060914 describe polynucleotide silencing elements that target nucleic acid molecules of the COPI coatomer subunit, conferring resistance to beetle and hemipteran pests. International publication number PCT / US2016 / 037748 describes polynucleotide silencing elements targeting VgR, MAEL, NCLB, and BOULE, which control beetle pests.US Patent Applications 2012 / 029750, 2012 / 0297501, and 2012 / 0322660 describe interfering ribonucleic acids (RNA or double-stranded RNA) that function, upon ingestion by an insect pest species, to negatively regulate the expression of a target gene in that insect pest, wherein the RNA comprises at least one silencing element, the silencing element being a double-stranded RNA region comprising hybridized complementary strands, one strand of which comprises or consists of a nucleotide sequence that is at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within the target gene. US Patent Application 2012 / 0164205 describes potential targets for interfering double-stranded ribonucleic acids for inhibiting invertebrate pests, including: R / ++nn / Lznz / B / Yi a homologous sequence of Chd3, a homologous sequence of Beta-tubulin, a homologous sequence of 40 kDa V-ATPase, a homologous sequence of EFla, a homologous sequence of the p28 subunit of the 26S proteasome, a homologous sequence of juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase, a homologous sequence of swelling-dependent chloride channel protein, a homologous sequence of glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase protein, a homologous sequence of Act42A protein, a homologous sequence of ADPribosylation factor 1, a homologous sequence of transcription factor IIB protein, homologous sequences of chitinase, a homologous sequence of ubiquitin conjugation enzyme, a homologous sequence of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a homologous sequence of ubiquitin B, a homolog of juvenile hormone esterase, and a sequence homologue of alpha tubulin. An embodiment of the invention comprises an additional component, which may be a vehicle, an adjuvant, a solubilizing agent, a suspending agent, a diluent, an oxygen acceptor, an antioxidant, a food material, an anti-contamination agent, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the additional component or components may be required for the application for which the strain or composition is to be used. For example, if the strain or composition is to be used on or in an agricultural product, the additional component or components may be an agriculturally acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent. Similarly, if the strain or composition is to be used on or in a food product, the additional component or components may be an edible carrier, excipient, or diluent. In one respect, the one or more additional components are a vehicle, excipient, or diluent. Means or vehicles mean materials suitable for the administration of the compound and include any such materials known in the art such as, for example, any liquid, gel, solvent, liquid diluent, solubilizer or the like, that is non-toxic and does not interact with any component of the composition in a harmful manner. Examples of nutritionally acceptable vehicles include, for example, water, saline solutions, alcohol, silicone, waxes, petrolatum, vegetable oils, polyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, liposomes, sugars, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, surfactants, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, essential oil, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, fatty acid esters of petroetral, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and the like. Examples of excipients include, but are not limited to: microcrystalline cellulose and other celluloses, lactose, sodium citrate, calcium carbonate, dibasic calcium phosphate, glycine, starch, lactose, and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols. Examples of diluents include, but are not limited to: aqua, ethanol, propylene glycol, and glycerin, and combinations thereof. The additional components can be used simultaneously with an entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or composition disclosed in this document (e.g., when they are in a joint mixture or even when they are delivered by different routes) or sequentially (e.g., they can be delivered by different routes). An entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or a composition disclosed herein and / or its diluent may also contain chelating agents such as EDTA, citric acid, tartaric acid, etc. Furthermore, an entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or a composition disclosed herein and / or its diluent may contain active agents selected from fatty acid esters, such as mono- and diglycerides, non-ionic surfactants, such as polysorbates, phospholipids, etc. An entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or a composition disclosed herein and / or its diluent may also contain emulsifiers, which can enhance the stability of an entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or a composition, especially after dilution. An entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or composition disclosed herein may be used in any suitable form, whether used alone or as part of a composition. An entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or composition disclosed herein may be formulated in any manner suitable to ensure that the composition comprises an active entomopathogenic fungal strain. An entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or compositions may be in the form of a dry powder that can be sprinkled or mixed with a product. The entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein in the form of a dry powder may include an additive such as microcrystalline cellulose, tragacanth gum, gelatin, starch, lactose, alginic acid, Primojel®, or cornstarch (which may be used as a disintegrating agent). In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions disclosed herein may be a spray-dried fermented product resuspended in H2O to a selected percentage of the following: 0.05-1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-7, 7-10, 10-15, 15-20, and more than 20%. In another embodiment, a rinsing step may be performed prior to spray drying. In one realization, the compositions released in this The R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι document may comprise a suspension of propagules, such as spores, of the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the suspension of propagules, such as spores, may be in the range of 1 × 10² to 1 × 10¹⁴ CFU / ml. In one embodiment, the compositions disclosed herein may comprise concentrated dried propagules, such as spores, of the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the concentrated dried spores may be in the range of 1 × 10² to 1 × 10¹⁴ CFU / g. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or entomopathogenic fungal compositions disclosed herein may be applied in wet or partially or completely dried form or in the form of a suspension, gel or other form. In at least some embodiments, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions may be freeze-dried or lyophilized. In at least some embodiments, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or entomopathogenic fungal compositions may be mixed with a vehicle. The vehicle includes, but is not limited to, whey, maltodextrin, sucrose, dextrose, limestone (calcium carbonate), rice hulls, yeast culture, dried starch, Rj^nm Lznz / E / Yi clay and sodium silicoaluminate. However, the strains must be freeze-dried before use. The strains can also be used with or without preservatives and in concentrated, non-concentrated, or diluted form. In one embodiment, the strains can be in the form of a pellet or a biologically pure sediment. An entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or a composition described herein may be added to one or more carriers. When used, the one or more carriers and strains may be added to a ribbon or paddle mixer and mixed for approximately 15 minutes, although the time may be increased or decreased. The components are mixed to produce a uniform blend of the culture and the carrier(s). The final product is preferably a dry, free-flowing powder. In one embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or compositions may be formulated as a liquid, a dry powder, or a granule. The dry powder or granules may be prepared by means known to those skilled in the art, such as in a top-spray fluidized bed coating machine, in a bottom-spray Wurster, or by drum granulation (e.g., high-shear granulation), extrusion, tray coating, or in a micro-ingredient mixer. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions can be provided as a powder R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι spray drying or freeze drying. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions are in a liquid formulation. This liquid formulation may contain one or more of the following: a buffer, salt, sorbitol, and / or glycerol. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions disclosed herein may be formulated with at least one physiologically acceptable vehicle selected from at least one of maltodextrin, calcined clay (illite), limestone (calcium carbonate), cyclodextrin, wheat or a component of wheat, sucrose, starch, Na₂SO₄, talc, PVA, sorbitol, benzoate, sorbiate, glycerol, sucrose, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, glucose, parabens, sodium chloride, citrate, acetate, phosphate, calcium, metabisulfite, formate, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions disclosed herein may be formulated using encapsulation technology to enhance the stability of fungal propagules, such as spores, and as a means of protecting fungal propagules from fungicides applied to seeds. In one embodiment, the encapsulation technology may comprise a granulated polymer for the timed release of fungal propagules, such as spores, over time. In one embodiment, the strains Entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or encapsulated entomopathogenic fungal compositions can be applied in a different way than granules in the furrow to the seeds. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or encapsulated entomopathogenic fungal compositions can be co-applied together with the seeds simultaneously. A coating agent useful for the sustained release of microparticles from an encapsulation embodiment can be a substance that coats the microgranulated form with the substance to be retained on it. Any coating agent that can form a coating that is difficult to permeate to the supported substance can be used, without any particular limitations. For example, highly saturated fatty acids, wax, thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, and similar materials can be used. Examples of useful highly saturated fatty acids include stearic acid, zinc stearate, stearic acid amide, and ethylenebis-stearic acid amide; examples of waxes include synthetic waxes such as polyethylene wax, carbon wax, Hoechst wax, and fatty acid esters; natural waxes such as carnauba wax and Japanese wax; and petroleum waxes such as paraffin wax and petrolatum. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene. R / ++nn / Lznz / B / Yi polystyrene; vinyl polymers such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyacrylate and polymethacrylate; diene polymers such as butadiene polymer, isoprene polymer, chloroprene polymer, butadiene-styrene copolymer, ethylenepropylene-diene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, MMA-butadiene copolymer and acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer;polyolefin copolymers such as ethylene-propylene copolymer, butene-ethylene copolymer, butene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic ester copolymer, ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate-carbon monoxide copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer and ethylene-vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer;and vinyl chloride copolymers such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer. Examples of thermosetting resins include polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, alkyl resin, unsaturated polyester resin, phenolic resin, urea-melamine resin, urea resin, and silicone resin. Of these, thermoplastic acrylic ester resin, butanedienestyrene copolymer resin, thermosetting polyurethane resin, and epoxy resin are preferred, with thermosetting polyurethane resin being particularly preferred among the preferred resins. These coating agents can be used individually or in combination with two or more types. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions may include a seed, a part of a seed, a plant, or a part of a plant. All plants, plant parts, seeds, or soil may be treated according to the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed herein. The compositions disclosed herein may include a plant, a plant part, a seed, a seed part, or soil; the entomopathogenic fungal strains, entomopathogenic fungal compositions, and methods disclosed herein may be applied to the seed, the plant or plant parts, the fruit, or the soil in which the plants grow. One embodiment relates to a method for reducing damage to a plant or plant part by plant pathogens, pests, or insects, comprising: (a) treating a seed with an entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition disclosed herein prior to sowing. In another embodiment, the method further comprises: (b) treating a plant part obtained from the seed with a R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι entomopathogenic fungal strain to entomopathogenic fungal composition disclosed in this document. The entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition used in step (a) may be the same entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition used in step (b) or different. One embodiment refers to a method for reducing damage to a plant or plant part by plant pathogens, pests, or insects, comprising: (a) treating the soil surrounding a seed or plant with an entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition. In another embodiment, the method further comprises: (b) treating a plant part with an entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition disclosed herein. The entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition used in step (a) may be the same as, or different from, the entomopathogenic fungal strain or entomopathogenic fungal composition used in step (b).One embodiment refers to a method for reducing damage to a plant or part of a plant by plant pathogens, pests, or insects, comprising: (a) treating a seed before sowing with an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein. In another embodiment, the method further comprises: (b) treating the soil surrounding the seed or plant with an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises: (c) treating a part of a plant produced from the seed with an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein. The entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition used in step (a) may be the same or different from the one used in step (b).The entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition used in step (b) may be the same entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition used in step (c) or different. In one embodiment, wild plant species and plant cultivars, or those obtained by conventional biological crossing, such as protoplast crossing or fusion, and parts thereof, may be treated with one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed herein. In another embodiment, transgenic plants or plant cultivars obtained by genetic engineering, and parts thereof, are treated with one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains, entomopathogenic fungal compositions, and methods disclosed herein. Rj^nm Lznz / E / Yi In another embodiment, plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) that can be treated according to the strains, compositions, and methods disclosed herein are herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e., plants that have been made tolerant to one or more given herbicides. Such plants can be obtained by genetic modification or by selecting plants that contain a mutation that alters such herbicide tolerance. Herbicide-resistant plants are, for example, glyphosate-tolerant plants, i.e., plants that have been made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or its salts. Plants can be made glyphosate-tolerant through various means. For example, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming the plant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Seeds, plants, or cultivated plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) that may also be treated in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document are genetically modified plants (or insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e., plants that have been made resistant to attack by certain target insects). Such plants may be obtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants that contain a mutation that alters this insect resistance. In another embodiment, the seeds, plants, or cultivated plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) that can be treated according to the disclosure are tolerant to abiotic overload. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation or by selecting plants that contain a mutation that alters this overload resistance. In another embodiment, seeds, plants, or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) that may be treated in accordance with the disclosure are conventionally crossed by mutagenesis or genome-manipulated to contain a combination or accumulation of valuable traits, including, but not limited to, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and tolerance to abiotic overload. The embodiments disclosed herein also apply to plant varieties to be developed or commercialized in the future that have these genetic traits or traits to be developed in the future. As used in this document, applying an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition to a seed, plant, or part of a plant includes contacting, spraying, coating, misting, and / or applying the entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition to the seed, plant, or part of a plant directly or indirectly. In one embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition may be applied directly as a spray, a rinse, or a powder, or any combination thereof.A contact stage can occur while a seed, plant or part of a plant is growing, while a plant or part of a plant is being fertilized, while a plant or part of a plant is being harvested, after a plant or part of a plant has been harvested, while a plant or part of a plant is being processed, while a plant or part of a plant is being packaged, or while a plant or part of a plant is being stored in a warehouse or on a store shelf. As used herein, a spray refers to a mist of liquid particles containing an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition of this disclosure. In one embodiment, a spray may be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant while a plant or part of a plant is growing. In another aspect, a spray may be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant while a seed, plant, or part of a plant is being fertilized. In another aspect, a spray may be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant while a seed, plant, or part of a plant is being harvested. In another aspect, a spray may be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant after a seed, plant, or part of a plant has been harvested. In another aspect, a spray may be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant while a plant or part of a plant is being processed.In another aspect, a spray can be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant while it is being packaged. Similarly, a spray can be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant while it is being stored. In another embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein may be applied directly to a seed, plant, or plant part as a rinse. As used herein, a rinse is a liquid containing an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein. Such a rinse may be poured over a seed, plant, or plant part. A plant or plant part may also be immersed or submerged in the rinse, then removed and allowed to dry. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition may be applied to a seed, plant, or part of a plant and may cover 50% of the surface area of ​​the plant material. In another embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition may be applied to a plant or part of a plant and may cover a percentage of the surface area of ​​the plant material from 50% to approximately 95%, from 60% to approximately 95%, from 70% to approximately 95%, from 80% to approximately 95%, and from 90% to approximately 95%. In another embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein may be applied to the environment of a seed, a plant, or a part of a plant and may cover 50% of the surface area of ​​the environment of a seed, a plant, or a part of a plant.In another embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition can be applied to the environment of a seed, a plant, or a part of a plant and can cover a percentage of the surface area of ​​the environment of a seed, a plant, or a part of a plant from 50% to approximately 95%, from 60% to approximately 95%, from 70% to approximately 95%, from 80% to approximately 95%, and from 90% to approximately 95%. In another aspect, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition can cover from approximately 20% to approximately 30%, from approximately 30% to R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι approximately 40%, from approximately 40% to approximately 50%, from approximately 50% to approximately 60%, from approximately 60% to approximately 70%, from approximately 70% to approximately 80%, from approximately 80% to approximately 90%, from approximately 90% to approximately 95%, from approximately 95% to approximately 98%, from approximately 98% to approximately 99% or 100% of the surface area of ​​a seed, a plant or a part of a plant or the environment of a seed, a plant or a part of a plant R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι In another embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein may be applied directly to a seed, plant, or part of a plant, or to the environment of a seed, plant, or part of a plant, as a powder. As used herein, a powder is a dry or nearly dry bulk solid composed of a large number of very fine particles that flow freely when shaken or tilted. A dry or nearly dry powder composition disclosed herein preferably contains a low percentage of water, such as, for example, less than 5%, less than 2.5%, or less than 1% by weight. In another embodiment, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition can be applied indirectly to a seed, plant, or plant part, or to the environment of a seed, plant, or plant part. For example, a seed, plant, or plant part that has an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition already applied can be brought into contact with a second seed, plant, or plant part so that the entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition impregnates the second seed, plant, or plant part. In a further aspect, an entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition can be applied using an applicator. In various aspects, an applicator may include, but is not limited to, a syringe, a sponge, a paper towel, or a cloth, or any combination thereof. A contact stage can occur while plant material is growing, while a seed, plant or part of a plant is being fertilized, while a plant or part of a plant is being harvested, after a seed, plant or part of a plant has been harvested, while a plant or part of a plant is being processed, while a plant or part of a plant is being packaged, or while a plant or part of a plant is being stored in a warehouse. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strain or composition disclosed herein may be a colloidal dispersion. A colloidal dispersion is a type of chemical mixture where a substance is tightly dispersed by R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι all the other. The particles of the dispersed substance are merely suspended in the mixture, unlike in a solution where they dissolve completely. This occurs because the particles in a colloidal dispersion are larger than those in a solution—small enough to disperse tightly and maintain a homogeneous appearance, but large enough to scatter light and not dissolve. Colloidal dispersions are intermediate between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures and are sometimes classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous based on their appearance. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed herein are suitable for use with a seed. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed herein are suitable for use with a seed from one or more of any of the plants listed above. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed in this document can be used to treat transgenic or genetically modified seeds. The heterologous gene in the transgenic seed may originate, for example, from microorganisms of the species Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Ciavibacter, Glomus, or G1i ocla di un. In one embodiment, a seed is treated in a state where it is sufficiently stable so that the treatment does not cause any damage. Generally, seed treatment can take place at any point between harvesting and sowing. In one embodiment, a used seed is separated from the plant and freed from husks, seed coats, peduncles, coverings, hairs, or fruit pulp. It is therefore possible to use, for example, a seed that has been harvested, cleaned, and dried. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a seed that, after drying, has been treated, for example, with water and then dried again. In one embodiment, the seed is treated with the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed in this document in such a way that the germination of a seed is not adversely affected, or in such a way that the resulting plant is not damaged. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and compositions disclosed herein can be applied directly to a seed. For example, the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and methods disclosed herein can be applied without additional components and without dilution. In another embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains rj Lznz / E / YiAi and entomopathogenic fungal compositions disclosed herein are applied to a seed in the form of a suitable formulation. Skilled workers are familiar with suitable seed treatment formulations and methods, which are described, for example, in the following documents: US 4,272,417 A, US 4,245,432 A, US 4,808,430 A, US 5,876,739 A, US 2003 / 0176428 A1, WO 2002 / 080675 A1, WO 2002 / 028186 A2. The entomopathogenic fungal strains and compositions disclosed in this document may become common seed coating formulations, such as R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, slurries or other seed coating materials, and also ULV formulations. These formulations are prepared in a known manner by mixing the entomopathogenic fungal strains disclosed in this document with common additives such as, for example, common diluents and also solvents or thinners, colorants, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, defoamers, preservatives, secondary thickeners, adhesives, gibberellins and also water. In another embodiment, suitable colorants that may be present in a seed coating formulation include all the usual colorants for such purposes. Both pigments, which have low water solubility, and dyes, which are water-soluble, may be used. Examples include the colorants known by the designations rhodamine B, CI Pigment Red 112, and CT Solvent Red 1. In another embodiment, suitable wetting agents that may be present in a seed coating formulation include all substances that promote wetting and are common in the formulation of active agrochemicals. Preferably, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, such as diisopropyl or diisobutylnaphthalene sulfonates, may be used. In another embodiment, suitable dispersants and / or emulsifiers that may be present in a seed coating formulation include all nonionic, anionic, and cationic dispersants commonly used in the formulation of agrochemical actives. In one embodiment, nonionic or anionic dispersants, or mixtures of nonionic or anionic dispersants, may be used. In one embodiment, nonionic dispersants include, but are not limited to, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, and tristyrylphenol polyglycol ethers, and their phosphated or sulfated derivatives. In another embodiment, the defoamers that may be present in a seed coating formulation to be used according to the embodiments of the invention include all foam-inhibiting compounds that are common in the formulation of agrochemically active compounds, including, but not limited to, silicone defoamers, magnesium stearate, silicone emulsions, long-chain alcohols, acids R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi fatty acids and their salts and also organophosphate compounds and mixtures thereof In another embodiment, the secondary thickeners that may be present in a seed coating formulation include all compounds that can be used for such purposes in agrochemical compositions, including, but not limited to, cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid derivatives, polysaccharides such as xanthan gum or Veegum, modified clays, phyllosilicates such as attapulgite and bentonite, and also finely divided silicic acids. Suitable adhesives that may be present in a seed coating formulation include all the usual binders used in seed coating. Preferred binders include polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, and tylose. In another embodiment, the seed coating formulations can be used directly or after prior dilution with water to treat seeds of a wide variety of types. The seed coating formulations or their diluted preparations can also be used to coat seeds of transgenic plants. In this context, synergistic effects may also occur in the interaction with the substances formed by expression. The mixing equipment suitable for treating seeds with a seed coating formulation or preparations made from it by adding water includes all mixing equipment commonly used for coating. The specific procedure adopted when coating involves introducing the seed into a mixer, adding the desired quantity of seed coating formulation, either as is or after prior dilution with water, and mixing until the formulation is uniformly distributed on the seed. Optionally, a drying operation follows. In various embodiments, one or more entomopathogenic fungal strains, entomopathogenic fungal compositions, or entomopathogenic fungal formulations may be added to the plant, part of the plant, and / or seed at a rate of approximately 10 to 1 x 10¹⁴ colony-forming units (CFU) per seed, including approximately 1 x 10³ CFU / seed, or approximately 1 x 10⁴ CFU / seed, 1 x 10⁵ CFU / seed, or approximately 1 x 10⁶ CFU / seed, or approximately 1 x 10⁷ CFU / seed, or approximately 1 x 10⁸ CFU / seed, or approximately 1 x 10⁻¹ CFU / seed, or of approximately 1 x 1 010 U 1. C / half ΓΤ a, of approximately 1 x 1044 ufe / half J 1 a, Q of approximately 1 x 1012 ufc / seed, or approximately : 1 x 1013 ufc / seed including approximately nothing: 1 z 1 O3 to 1 xl 0 $ ufc / seed, approximately 1 X 107 UFC / seed, approximately 1 X 103 to 1 X 105 UFC / seed, approximately 1 X 103 to 1 x 1 o6 UFC / seed, approx. approximately X 103 to 1 X 10® ufc / seed, approximately X 103 to X 1Q10 ufc / seed, approximately ο of X 103 aq X 1031 ufc / seed, approximately 1 ufc / 4 X1 approximately 1 X 103 to 1 X 1013 ufe / seed 11 yes, approximately 1 X 104 ¿1 1. X 10s ufe / seed, approximately X 104 to 1 X 107 ufc / seed, approximately 1 X ufe / seed, approximately -i X 104 a.1 X 106 cfu / seed, approximately from X 104 to 1 X 10® cfu / seed, approximately X 104 CL X 1040 cfu / seed, approximately from 1 X 1 0 *-L aq X 109 cfu / seed, approximately from 3 X 10 4 to 1 X 1012 cfu / seed, approximately H or X 104 to -i X 1043 cfu / seed,. approximately from X 108 to 1 X 107 ufc / s emilia, the ρ is approximately q X 105 a. 1 X i. 0 6 grapes / seed, approximately 1 X 105 to 1 X 108 grapes / seed, approximately X 105 ¿i 1 X 10 grapes / seed, 5 approximately q X 1 ÍT 5 seeds / seed, 1 X fruit of 1 X 105 to _L X 107i ufc / seed, approximately 1 X 105 aq X 1012 ufc / s seed, approximately Ci e J. X 105 aq X 1073 ufc / seed, approximately 1 X 10 to ufe / seed, 10 approximately 1 X 106 to 1 X 107 ufc / seed, approximately q X 106 to 1 X 10s ufc / s emi. 11 a, about X 106 to X 1010 ufc / seed, approximately X 10g to X 1077 ufc / seed, approximately ο ei X 106 aq0 X 1011 ufc / approximately X15, 1073 ufc / seed, approximately - X 107 to 1 X 108 ufe / seed, approximately 1 X 107 ¿1 1.X 10s seed / seed, approximately 1 X 107 to X 1010 seed / seed, approximately 1 X 107 to 1 X 1011 seed, 20 approximately q X 1x12 approximately seed / seed X 10 ' to 1 X 1073 UFC / seed, approximately X 103 to 1 X 10s UFC / seed, approximately 1 X ί Q 8 to 1 X [ 07 3 UFC / seed, approximately X1 ufc / seed, 25 approx ima dame nte ! X 103 a _L X 1072 ufc / seed,. in fr^nn / Lznz / E / YiAi approximately 1 x 108 to 1033 1 O10 cfu / seed, approximately 1 x 109 to approximately 1 x 109 to 1 x 1033 cfu / seed, approximately 1 x 109 to 1. X 1012 cfu / seed, approximately 1 x 109 to 1 x 1033 cfu / seed, approximately 1 x 1010 to 1 x 1031 cfu / seed, approximately 1 x 1010 to 1 x 1012 cfu / seed.11 a, approximately 1 x 1010 a. 1 x 10³³ CFU / seed, approximately 1 x 10³³ to 1 x 10³² CFU / seed, approximately 1 x 10¹¹ to 1 x 10³³ CFU / seed, and approximately 1 x 10¹² to 1 x 10³³ CFU / seed. As used herein, the expression colony-forming unit or CFU is a unit that contains entomopathogenic fungal structures that can form and produce a colony under favorable conditions. One content of CFU serves as an estimate of the number of structures in a sample. Vial ruptures or cells. In one realization, entomopathogenic fungal strains and Compositions may be formulated as a liquid seed treatment. The seed treatment comprises at least one strain or composition. The seeds may be coated substantially uniformly with one or more layers of an entomopathogenic fungus or composition, using conventional mixing, spraying, or a combination thereof. Application may be made using R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi is equipment that accurately, safely, and efficiently applies seed treatment products to seeds. This equipment uses various types of coating technology, such as rotary coating machines, drum coating machines, fluidized bed techniques, jet bed coating, rotary sprayers, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the application is made by means of a rotating atomizing disc or a spray nozzle that evenly distributes the seed treatment onto the seeds as they move through the spray pattern. In another embodiment, the seeds are then mixed or turned for an additional period of time to achieve further distribution and drying of the treatment. The seeds may be primed or de-primed prior to coating with the compositions of the invention to increase the uniformity of germination and hatching. In an alternative embodiment, a dry powder composition may be applied to the moving seed. In another embodiment, a seed can be coated by a continuous or discontinuous coating process. In a continuous coating process, a continuous flow system simultaneously measures the flow of both the seeds and the seed treatment products. A sliding gate, cone and orifice, wheel, seeding device, or weighing device (belt or diverter) regulates the seed flow. Rj^nm Lznz / E / Yi Once the seed flow rate through the treatment equipment is determined, the seed treatment flow rate is calibrated to match the seed flow rate, delivering the desired dose to the seed as it flows through the equipment. Additionally, a computer system can control the seed feed to the coating machine, thereby maintaining a constant flow of the appropriate quantity of seeds. In a batch coating process, a batch treatment unit weighs a prescribed quantity of seeds and places them in a closed treatment chamber or container, where the appropriate seed treatment is then applied. The seed and seed treatment are then mixed to achieve a substantially uniform coating on each seed. This batch is then removed from the treatment chamber in preparation for the next batch. With computerized control systems, this batch process is automated, making it possible to repeat the process continuously. A variety of additives can be added to a seed treatment. Binders can be added and include compounds, preferably of an adhesive polymer, which can be natural or synthetic and has no cytotoxic effect on the seed being coated. A R / frfrnn / Lznz / E / Yi A variety of colorants, including organic chromophores classified as nitroso, nitro, azo (including monoazo, bisazo, and polyazo), diphenylmethane, triarylmethane, xanthene, methane, acridine, tlazol, thiazine, indamine, indophenol, azine, oxazine, anthraquinone, and phthalocyanine. Other additives that may be added include trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc. A polymer or other dust control agent may be applied to retain the treatment on the seed surface. Other conventional seed treatment additives include, but are not limited to, coating agents, wetting agents, buffering agents, and polysaccharides. At least one agriculturally acceptable carrier, such as water, solids, or dry powders, may be added to the seed treatment formulation. Dry powders can be obtained from a variety of materials, including wood bark, calcium carbonate, gypsum, vermiculite, talc, humus, activated carbon, and various phosphorus compounds. In one embodiment, a seed coating comprises at least one filler, which is an organic or inorganic, natural or synthetic component, combined with entomopathogenic fungal strains and compositions thereof to facilitate their application to the seed. In one embodiment, the filler is an inert solid such as clays, R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι natural or synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers (for example, ammonium salts), natural soil minerals such as kaolin, clay, talc, lime, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, bentonite or diatomaceous earth or synthetic minerals such as silica, alumina or silicates, in particular aluminum or magnesium silicates. In one embodiment, the entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or compositions disclosed herein may be formulated using encapsulation technology to enhance the stability of fungal spores and as a means of protecting fungal spores from fungicides applied to seeds. In one embodiment, the encapsulation technology may comprise a granulated polymer for the timed release of fungal spores over time. In another embodiment, the encapsulation technology may comprise a zeolite material. In one embodiment, the encapsulated entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or entomopathogenic fungal compositions may be applied to seeds in a manner other than as granules applied in the furrow. In another embodiment, the encapsulated entomopathogenic fungal strains and / or entomopathogenic fungal compositions may be co-applied to seeds simultaneously. Insect resistance management (IRM) is the term used to describe practices aimed at reducing the potential for insect pests to develop resistance to an insect control tactic. In the maintenance of pesticidal proteins derived from Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), other pesticidal proteins, a chemical agent, an entomopathogenic biological agent, or other biological agents, IRM is very important due to the threat that insect resistance poses to the future use of plant-incorporated pesticide protectants and insecticidal trait technology as a whole. Targeted IRM strategies, such as the structured refuge strategy, delay insect resistance to specific insecticidal proteins produced in maize, cotton, and potatoes.However, these strategies result in crop areas remaining susceptible to one or more pests, ensuring the development of non-resistant insects that are available to mate with any resistant pests produced in protected crops. Therefore, from a farmer's perspective, it is highly desirable to have the smallest possible refuge area and thus control insect resistance, maximizing yield while maintaining the effectiveness of the pest control method used, whether it be Bt, a different pesticide protein, a chemical agent, an entomopathogenic biological agent, other biological agents, or a combination thereof. A frequently used insect resistance management (IRM) strategy is to plant a refuge (a portion of the total acreage using pesticide-resistant / non-Bt seed), as this is commonly believed to delay the development of insect resistance to pesticide traits while maintaining insect susceptibility. The theoretical basis of the refuge strategy for delaying resistance relies on the assumption that the frequency and recessiveness of insect resistance are inversely proportional to pest susceptibility; resistance will be uncommon and recessive only when pests are highly susceptible to the toxin, and conversely, resistance will be more common and less recessive when pests are not highly susceptible. Furthermore, the strategy assumes that resistance to an insecticidal trait is recessive and conferred by a single locus with two alleles that produce three genotypes: homozygous susceptible (SS), heterozygous (RS), and homozygous resistant (RR).It also assumes that there will be a low initial resistance allele frequency and extensive random mating between resistant and susceptible adults. Under optimal circumstances, only a few RR individuals will survive a pesticide toxin produced by the crop. Both SS and RS individuals will be susceptible to the pesticide toxin. A structural refuge is part of a non-Bt / insecticide trait of a field. A refuge is a crop or set of fields that produces susceptible insects (SS) that can randomly mate with unusual resistant insects (RR) that survive the crop with the pesticide trait, which may be a Bt crop, to produce susceptible RS heterozygotes that will be eliminated by the Bt / insecticide-traited crop. An integrated refuge is a randomly planted portion of a crop field or set of fields that produces susceptible insects (SS) that can randomly mate with unusual resistant insects (RR) that survive the crop with the pesticide trait to produce susceptible RS heterozygotes that will be eliminated by the crop with the pesticide trait. Each refuge strategy will eliminate resistant alleles (R) from insect populations and slow the evolution of resistance. Another strategy to reduce the need for refuge is trait pyramiding, where traits have different modes of action against a target insect pest. For example, Bt toxins with different modes of action stacked in a transgenic plant may have reduced refuge requirements due to the lower risk of resistance. The different modes of action in a stacked combination also extend the durability of each trait, as resistance takes longer to develop for each individual trait. Currently, the size, location, and management of refuges are often considered critical to the success of refuge strategies for mitigating insect resistance to the Bt trait / pesticide produced in corn, cotton, soybeans, and other crops. Due to the reduction in refuge planting areas, some farmers choose to disregard refuge requirements, while others fail to adhere to size and / or placement requirements. These issues result in either no refuge or less effective refuge, and a corresponding risk of increased development of resistant pests. Consequently, the need remains for methods to manage pest resistance in a pest-resistant crop plant diagram. An improved method for protecting plants, especially maize or other crops, from pest feeding damage would be beneficial. This would be particularly useful if such a method reduced the required application rate of conventional chemical pesticides and also limited the number of separate field operations required for planting and harvesting. Furthermore, a method for developing a biocontrol agent that increases the durability of an insecticidal trait or enhances the effectiveness of various resistance management strategies would be advantageous. One embodiment relates to a method of reducing or preventing the development of resistance to a plant insecticide / pesticide composition in a pest population, comprising providing a plant protection composition, such as a Bt pesticidal protein, a transgenic pesticidal protein, other pesticidal proteins, chemical pesticides, or biological entomopathogenic pests, to a seed, plant, plant part, or planted area. Another embodiment relates to a method of reducing or preventing resistance to a plant insecticidal trait, comprising providing a composition comprising a plant insecticidal trait and an entomopathogenic fungal strain described herein.A further embodiment relates to a method for reducing or preventing resistance to a plant insecticidal trait against beetles, comprising providing a composition that includes a plant insecticidal trait against beetles and an entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or composition described herein. Another embodiment relates to a method for reducing or preventing resistance to a plant insecticidal trait against Diabrotica virginifera virgifera, comprising providing a plant insecticidal trait against Diabrotica virginifera virgifera and an entomopathogenic fungal strain and / or composition described herein. In certain embodiments, the insecticidal trait comprises a Bt trait, a trait that is not... Bt or an iRNA trait. A further embodiment relates to a method of increasing the durability of plant pest control compositions comprising providing a plant protection composition to a seed, plant or sown area and providing the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions and / or methods described herein to the seed, plant or sown area, wherein the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions and / or methods described herein have a different mode of action to the plant protection composition. In another further embodiment, the required refuge may be reduced or eliminated by the presence of entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and / or methods described herein applied to non-refuge plants. In another embodiment, the refuge may include the entomopathogenic fungal strains, compositions, and / or methods described herein as a spray, bait, or other mode of action. In one embodiment of the invention, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen and a non-Bt insecticidal trait that enhances resistance against a pathogen, pest, or insect. In another embodiment, the fungal entomopathogen is selected from the group consisting of: Metarhizium anisopliae 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3, and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1. In another embodiment, the non-Bt insecticidal trait comprises a plant-derived insecticidal protein, a non-Bt bacteria / archaebacteria-derived insecticidal protein (such as a Pseudomonas insecticidal protein), an animal-derived insecticidal protein, or a silencing element. In another embodiment of the invention, a composition comprising a fungal entomopathogen and a non-Bt insecticidal trait increases the durability of the non-Bt insecticidal trait. In another embodiment, the non-Bt insecticidal trait comprises a PIP-72 polypeptide of PCT document serial number PCT / US14 / 55128. In another embodiment, the non-Bt insecticidal trait comprises polynucleotide silencing elements targeting RyanR, HP2, or PAT3 (U.S. patent application publication 2014 / 0275208 and document US2015 / 0257389).In another embodiment, the non-Bt insecticidal trait comprises RyanR-targeted polynucleotide silencing elements (U.S. patent application publication 2014 / 0275208) and a PIP-72 polypeptide from PCT document serial number PCT / US14 / 55128. In a further embodiment of the invention, a composition that enhances resistance to a pathogen, pest, or insect comprises a fungal entomopathogen, such as an entomopathogenic fungal strain disclosed herein, and a Bt insecticidal trait that enhances resistance to a pathogen, pest, or insect. A Bt insecticidal trait may have activity against plant beetle pests, such as Diabrotica virginifera virginifera. The compositions disclosed herein may provide a plant or part of a plant with additive or synergistic resistance to a plant pathogen, pest, or insect in combination with a Bt insecticidal trait.In one embodiment, a composition comprises a fungal entomopathogen and a Bt insecticidal trait, wherein the Bt insecticidal trait comprises a Cry3B toxin disclosed in U.S. Patents 8,101,826, 6,551,962, 6,586,365, 6,593,273 and PCT Publication WO 2000 / 011185, an mCry3B toxin disclosed in U.S. Patents 8,269,069 and 8,513,492, an mCry3A toxin disclosed in U.S. Patents 8,269,069, 7,276,583 and 8,759,620 or a Cry34 / 35 toxin disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,309,785, 7,524,810, 7,985,893,. 7,939,651 and 6,548,291, and transgenic events containing these Bt insecticidal toxins and other Bt insecticidal traits active in beetles, for example, the MON863 event disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,705,216, the MIR604 event disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,884,102, the 5307 event disclosed in the patent of United States Patent No. 9,133,474, the DAS-59122 event disclosed in United States Patent No. 7,875,429, the DP-4114 event disclosed in United States Patent No. 8,575,434, the MON 87411 event disclosed in published United States Patent Application No. 2013 / 0340111, and the MON88017 event disclosed in United States Patent No. 8,686,230, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Entomopathogenic fungal strains, entomopathogenic fungal compositions, and methods shall be further understood by reference to the following non-limiting examples. The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The examples are included solely to aid in a more complete understanding of the described embodiments of the invention. The examples do not limit the scope of the described or claimed embodiments of the invention. EXAMPLE 1 Bioassay methodology Laboratory bioassays were performed using purified single-spore cultures of entomopathogenic fungi to identify infectious strains against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Second-instar D. virgifera virgifera spores were immersed in a 1 x 10⁷ / ml suspension of each fungal strain for 1–2 minutes and transferred to Petri dishes with moistened filter paper for 24 h. Second-instar D. virgifera virgifera spores were also immersed in 0.01% Tween 80 solution (untreated control) and in a 1 x 10⁷ / ml suspension of a Beauveria spp. isolate derived from an infected D. virgifera virgifera and previously shown in the laboratory to be infectious (positive control). The positive and untreated control treatments served to confirm the validity of each bioassay. A bioassay was considered valid if there were no infected larvae in the untreated control and infected larvae in the positive control.After 24 h, the larvae were aseptically transferred to Petri dishes containing moistened filter paper and three coleoptile-stage maize seedlings. All fungal strains were screened in triplicate with 10 larvae per replicate. The Petri dishes containing larvae and maize seedlings were incubated for 14 days at 25 °C, after which the larvae were observed for fungal infection. Fungal infection was confirmed by the presence of conidia on the surface of the carcasses (Table 1). Table 1. Bioassay Strain % of infected CRW larvae 1 3213-1 50 1 Negative control 0 Bioassay Strain % of infected CRW larvae 2 23013-3 26.67 2 15013-1 33.33 2 Negative control 0 Bioassay results The results of the laboratory bioassay demonstrated that strains 15013-1, 23013-3, and 3213-1 were infectious against the second instar of D. virgifera virgifera. The five bioassays were performed at a discriminatory dose that exposed the larvae to a spore concentration that allowed for the identification of highly infectious strains, while strains that were not highly infectious against D. virgifera virgifera either did not produce or had very low levels of larval infection. The positive control induced larval infection in each of the bioassays, and the negative control did not. EXAMPLE 2 Soil incorporation bioassay methodology Whole-plant greenhouse bioassays were conducted using the most effective entomopathogenic fungal strains identified in laboratory bioassays. The fungal strains were incorporated immediately before planting into a 50:50 mixture of commercial potting soil and topsoil at a rate equivalent to a field application of 2 x 10¹³ spores / acre. A negative control treatment consisted of unmodified soil with fungal spores. The experiment was a full factorial design with two factors (fungal strain and germplasm). The seed used consisted of either a pre-commercial DuPont Pioneer maize hybrid with an insecticidal trait (DP-4114, PCT / US10 / 60818) or the wild-type plant (without additional traits) from the same genetic background without an insecticidal trait, with activity against D. virgifera virgifera. Fifteen individual hybrid maize seeds (of each type) were planted in 3.78 1 plastic pots and kept in the greenhouse (26.66 °C (80 °F), 15:9 L:D) and were watered as needed. When the plants reached the V2 leaf stage, they were infested with 100 non-diapaused D. virgifera virgifera eggs. The plants were monitored daily, and the trial ended 14 days after the first beetle appeared. The number of adult D. virgifera virgifera that emerged from each pot was determined in the GH in a manner similar to that described by Meihls et al. (2008) PNAS 105: 19177-19182. In those bioassays where adult emergence was not quantified, the trial was evaluated when the first beetle appeared. At the end of the trial, the plants were cut above the soil line, and the total number of adults present was counted. The root ball was then... R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / Ε / γι washed and knot injury value (CRWNIS) was determined (Oleson et al. 2005, Journal of Economics Entomology 98: 1-8.) (Table 2). Table 2. BIOASSAY NO. GH STRAIN CRWNIS VALUE WT* CRWNIS VALUE DP4114* ADULT APPEARANCE WT* ADULT APPEARANCE DP-4114* 1 15013-1 0.90a 0.15a 8.93b 3.88b 1 Negative control 1.89b 0.62b 21.87a 8.68a 2 23013-3 0.30a 0.05a 1.32a 1.74a 2 Negative control 0.78b 0.20b 4.84b 8.09b 3 3213-1 0.85a 0.17a N / A N / A 3 Negative control 1.68b 0.41b N / A N / A * Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal strain with the negative control given each genotype. A Dunnett multiplicity adjustment was used and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if they were less than 0.05. Means of the same GH bioassay with different letters (aob) (CRWNIS or adult emergence) within the hybrid maize genotype (WT or DP-4114) are significantly different (P<0.05). Statistical analysis Root damage measured by CRWNIS was analyzed separately for each test run, using the MIXED procedure in the SAS software program version number 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., 100 SAS Campus Drive, Cary, NC 27513, USA). To better meet the model assumptions, the observed CRWINS values ​​were transformed, using a square root transformation, prior to analysis. The model used can be specified as: y=b+t+g+t*g+e where y indicates the response, b indicates block / rep., t indicates the strain treatment, g indicates the genotype, and ε indicates the variance of the residual error from one plant to another. Treatment and genotype were considered fixed effects. All other effects were considered independent, normally distributed random variables with means of zero. The best unbiased linear estimates were presented for each treatment and genotype combination, following backtransformation (i.e., y2). Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal treatment with the check given each genotype. A Dunnett's multiplicity adjustment was used, and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if they were less than 0.05. Beetle occurrence data were analyzed separately for each run, using the GLIMMIX procedure in the SAS software program version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., 100 SAS Campus Drive, Cary, NC 27513, USA). A generalized linear mixed model was fitted to the data, assuming a Poisson distribution of occurrence counts and a log-linkage function. The linear independent variable used can be specified: p = b + t + g + t*g+p where η indicates the logarithm of the beetle count that have appeared, b indicates block / rep., t indicates the strain treatment, g indicates the genotype, and p indicates the plant. Treatment and genotype were considered fixed effects. All other effects were considered independent, normally distributed random variables with means of zero. Count estimates for each treatment combination by genotype were presented on a reverse-linked scale. Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal strain with the check given each genotype. Dunnett's multiplicity adjustment was used, and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if they were less than 0.05. Means of the same GH bioassay with different letters (CRWNIS or adult emergence) within the hybrid maize genotype (WT or DP-4114) are significantly different (P<0.05). Results of soil incorporation bioassay All entomopathogenic fungal strains evaluated in greenhouse bioassays 1, 2, and 3 significantly reduced the amount of root damage in all hybrid maize genotypes tested. Efficacy The effectiveness of each of the entomopathogenic fungi when incorporated into the soil at planting was additive, with no significant interaction in terms of insect efficacy when used with or without an insecticidal trait. In bioassays 1 and 2, where adult beetle counts were determined, both strains, when incorporated into the soil at planting, significantly reduced the number of adult D. virgifera virgifera that emerged from both hybrid maize genotypes, with no significant interaction observed. The use of these fungal strains provided a significant level of root protection and reductions in adult emergence as a result of direct mortality against D. virgifera virgifera, indicating that these fungi are important new tools for use in developing integrated pest management programs against this insect. In one respect, the strains can be used to increase the durability of an insecticidal trait. EXAMPLE 3 Whole-plant greenhouse bioassays were conducted using strain 15013-1 as a biological seed treatment for the control of D. virgifera virgifera. Fungal spores were applied to hybrid maize seed in the laboratory immediately before sowing in a 50:50 mixture of commercial potting soil and topsoil. One hundred and one fungal spores were suspended in a 10% gum arabic solution (to facilitate spore adhesion to the seed) in which bare maize seeds were immersed for 1–2 minutes. The seed treatment doses evaluated were 1x104, 1x105, and 1x106 CFU / seed. A negative control treatment consisted of seeds untreated with fungal spores and immersed in a 10% gum arabic solution alone. The experiment was a full factorial design with two factors (seed treatment and germplasm). The seed used consisted of a pre-commercial DuPont Pioneer maize hybrid with an insecticidal trait (DP-4114, PCT / US10 / 60818) or the wild-type plant from the same genetic background without an insecticidal trait, with activity against D. virgifera virgifera. Individual hybrid maize seeds (of each type) were planted in 3.78 1 plastic pots and kept in the greenhouse (26.66 °C (80 °F), 15:9 L:D) and were watered as needed. When the plants reached the V2 leaf stage, they were infested with 100 non-diapaused D. virgifera virgifera eggs. The plants were monitored daily, and the trial ended 14 days after the first beetle appeared. The number of adult D. virgifera virgifera that emerged from each pot was determined in the GH in a manner similar to that described by Meihls et al. (2008) PNAS 105: 19177-19182. In those bioassays where no. The appearance of adults was quantified in 102; the trial was evaluated when the first beetle appeared. The plants were cut above the soil line, and the root ball was then washed, and the node injury value (CRWNIS) was determined (Oleson et al. 2005, Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1-8.) (Table 3). The predicted CRWNIS value was calculated as in example 2. Table 3. STRAIN VALUE CRWNIS WT VALUE CRWNIS DP-4114 15013-1 at ~1x104 / seed 0.53 0.41 15013-1 at ~1x10 5 / s seed 0.57 0.39 15013-1 at ~1x106 / seed 0.49 0.35 Untreated control 0.63 0.34 RESULTS The application of the seed treatment of the strain Treatment of bare maize seeds generally decreased the amount of root damage caused by D. virgifera virgifera (Table 3). The amount of D. virgifera virgifera feeding in this greenhouse trial was small. As a result, the number of feeding insects was highest on the maize genotype without a PIP, allowing the impact of the fungal seed treatment to be most evident. The experimental application of fungal spores to maize seeds in this example, using 103 gum arabic at 10% and the resulting yield, compared to the superior yield observed in example 6 (table 7) are probably influenced by the use of commercial seed treatment equipment and commercial polymers that cause a more uniform and consistent application of fungal spores to the maize seed. EXAMPLE 4 Whole-plant greenhouse bioassays were conducted using strain 15013-1 as a biological seed treatment for the control of D. virginifera virginifera, both alone and in combination with commercial seed-applied chemical agents. First, hybrid maize seed was treated with a commercially available seed-applied insecticide and fungicide and allowed to dry. Fungal spores were then applied immediately before sowing in a 50:50 mixture of commercial potting soil and topsoil. The fungal spores were suspended in a 10% gum arabic solution (to facilitate spore adhesion to the seed), in which maize seeds were immersed for 1–2 minutes. The seed-treatment doses evaluated were 110⁷ and 110⁸ CFU / seed. The negative control treatment consisted of seed treated with 10% gum arabic alone or with a seed-applied chemical agent and gum arabic. R? Mtn / izz / E / yi 104 Arabica at 10%. The experiment was a full factorial design with two factors (seed treatment and germplasm). The seed used consisted of either a pre-commercial DuPont Pioneer maize hybrid with an insecticidal trait (DP-4114, PCT / US10 / 60818) or the wild-type plant from the same genetic background without an insecticidal trait with activity against D. virgifera virgifera. Fifteen individual hybrid maize seeds (of each type) were planted in 3.78 L plastic pots and maintained in the greenhouse (26.66 °C (80 °F), 15:9 L:D) and watered as needed. When the plants reached the V2 leaf stage, they were infested with 100 non-diapaused D. virgifera virgifera eggs. The plants were monitored daily, and the trial ended 14 days after the first beetle appeared. The amount of adult D. virgifera virgifera that appeared from each pot was determined in the GH in a manner similar to that described by Meihls et al.(2008) PNAS 105: 19177-19182. In those bioassays where adult emergence was not quantified, the assay was evaluated when the first beetle appeared. Plants were cut above the soil line, and the root ball was then washed, and the node injury score (CRWNIS) was determined (Oleson et al. 2005, Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1-8.) (Table 4). The predicted CRWNIS score and adult emergence were calculated as in Example 2. 105 Table 4. STRAIN VALUE CRWNIS WT VALUE CRWNIS DP-4114 ADULT APPEARANCE WT ADULT APPEARANCE DP-4114 15013-1 at ~lxl07 / seed with gum arabic 0.53 0.25 1.19 0.42 15013-1 at ~lxl08 / seed with gum arabic 0.61 0.24 1.31 0.43 15013-1 at ~lxl07 / seed with gum arabic and chemical agent applied to the seed 0.65 0.19 1.06 0.13 15013-1 at ~lxl08 / seed with gum arabic and chemical agent applied to the seed 0.52 0.17 1.07 0.65 Control of gum arabic 0.91 0.30 1.12 0.21 Control of gum arabic and chemical agent applied to the seed 0.55 0.17 0.66 0.18 Seed treatment results R / frfrnn / Lznz / B / Yu The application of the 15013-1 seed treatment reduced the amount of root damage caused by D. virgifera virgifera in maize genotypes when applied alone or in combination with chemical seed treatments. The amount of D. virgifera virgifera The number of feeding insects in both greenhouse seed treatment experiments was small. As a result, the number of feeding insects was highest on the maize genotype without an insecticidal trait, allowing the impact of each seed treatment evaluated to be most evident (Table 4). Strain 15013-1, applied alone or in combination with chemical seed treatment, reduced the amount of feeding by D. virgifera virgifera larvae (Table 4). The impact of the biological seed treatment on adult emergence was more subtle (Table 4).The experimental application of fungal spores to maize seeds in this example, using 10% gum arabic, and the resulting yield, compared to the superior yield observed in example 6 (Table 7), are probably influenced by the use of commercial seed treatment equipment and commercial polymers that result in a more uniform and consistent application of the fungal spores to the maize seed. EXAMPLE 5 Soil incorporation bioassay methodology Whole-plant greenhouse bioassays were conducted using the most effective entomopathogenic fungal strains identified in laboratory bioassays. The fungal strains were incorporated immediately before sowing into a 50:50 mixture of a commercial potting soil and 107 arable layer at a rate equivalent to a field application of 2 x 10¹³ CFU / acre. A negative control treatment consisted of unmodified soil with fungal spores. The experiment was a full factorial design with two factors (fungal strain and genotype). The seed used consisted of a pre-commercial DuPont Pioneer maize hybrid with an insecticidal trait, DP-4114 (DP-4114, US patent 8,575,434), DP4114 x MIR604 (DP-4114, US patent 8,575,434), MIR604 (US patent 8,884,102), or wild-type plants from the same genetic background without an insecticidal trait with activity against D. virgifera virgifera. Fifteen individual hybrid maize seeds (of each type) were planted in 3.78 1 plastic pots and kept in the greenhouse (26.66 °C (80 °F), 15:9 L:D) and watered as needed. When the plants reached the V2 leaf stage, they were infested with 100 non-diapaused D. virgifera virgifera eggs.The plants were monitored daily, and the trial ended 14 days after the first beetle appeared. The number of adult D. virgifera virgifera that emerged from each pot was determined in the GH in a manner similar to that described by Meihls et al. (2008) PNAS 105: 19177-19182. In those bioassays where adult emergence was not quantified, the trial was evaluated when the first beetle appeared. At the end of the trial, the plants were cut above the soil line, and the number of beetles was counted. 108 total number of adults present (Table 5). The root ball was then washed and the node injury value (CRWNIS) was determined (Oleson et al. 2005, Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1-8.) (Table 6). The predicted CRWNIS value and adult appearance 5 were calculated as in Example 2. Table 5. STRAIN ADULT APPEARANCE WT* ADULT APPEARANCE DP-4114* ADULT APPEARANCE DP4114xMIR604* ADULT APPEARANCE MIR604* 15013-1 4.91a 4.44a 4.18a 2.45a 3213-1 4.61a 7.77b 5.10a 7.04a 23013-3 N / AN / AN / AN / A Negative control 7.18b 9.7 6b 8.64b 10.75b * Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal strain with the negative control given each genotype. A Dunnett multiplicity adjustment was used and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if they were less than 0.05. Means of the same GH bioassay with different letters (aob) (CRWNIS or adult emergence) within the hybrid maize genotype (WT or DP-4114) are significantly different (P<0.05). Table 6. STRAIN CRWNIS VALUE WT* CRWNIS VALUE DP-4114* CRWNIS VALUE DP4114xMIR604* CRWNIS VALUE MIR604* 15013-1 0.88a 0.20a 0.07b 0.19a 3213-1 0.85a 0.25a 0.03a 0.36a 23013-3 N / AN / AN / AN / A 109 Negative control 1.47b 0.5 6b 0.18b 0.73b R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι * Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal strain with the negative check given each genotype. A Dunnett multiplicity adjustment was used, and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if they were less than 0.05. Means of the same GH bioassay with different letters (aob) (CRWNIS or adult emergence) within the hybrid maize genotype (WT, DP-4114, or DP4114*MIR604, or MIR604) are significantly different (P<0.05). Bioassay results All entomopathogenic fungal strains evaluated in the greenhouse bioassay significantly reduced the amount of root damage in all hybrid maize genotypes tested, with the exception of 15013-1 when applied to DP-4114xMIR604. However, 15013-1 reduced root feeding damage by more than 50% compared to the stacked trait product DP-4114xMIR604 alone. The efficacy provided by each of the entomopathogenic fungi when incorporated at planting was additive, with no significant interaction in terms of insect efficacy when used with or without an insecticidal trait. All fungal strains significantly reduced the number of adult D. virgifera virgifera beetles. 110 appeared when incorporated into the soil at planting in all hybrid maize genotypes evaluated, with the exception of 3213-1 when applied to DP-4114 alone. However, 3213-1 reduced the number of adult beetles appearing by more than 20% compared to DP-4114 alone. The reduction in adult beetle appearance provided by each of the entomopathogenic fungi when incorporated at planting was additive, with no significant interaction when used with or without an insecticidal trait. The use of these fungal strains provided a significant level of root protection and reductions in adult appearance as a result of direct mortality against D. virgifera virgifera, indicating that these fungi are important new tools for use in developing integrated pest management programs against this insect. In one respect, the strains can be used to increase the durability of an insecticidal trait. EXAMPLE 6 Bioassay methodology for commercial seed treatment Greenhouse bioassays were conducted on whole plants of the entomopathogenic fungal strains identified in Example 1. The fungal strains were applied as biological seed treatments at a target concentration of 1x106-1x107 CFU / seed along with insecticides 111 conventional commercial seed treatments included thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole, fungicides (azoxystrobin, fludioxonil, thiabendazole, metalaxyl, and tebuconazole), and polymers. Conidiospores were applied as an aqueous liquid formulation or sequentially as dried conidiospores with a seed treatment polymer to previously chemically treated seeds. Both fungal spore formulations and all seed treatment agents were applied using a commercial treatment container. The seeds were sown in a 50:50 mixture of commercial potting soil and topsoil. A negative control treatment consisted of seeds without fungal spores but treated with the same commercially available insecticides, fungicides, dyes, biological agents, and polymers applied to the conventional seeds. The experiment was a full factorial design with two factors (fungal strain and genotype).The seed used consisted of a pre-commercial DuPont Pioneer maize hybrid with an insecticidal trait DP-4114 (DP-4114, PCT / US10 / 60818 document) or wild-type plants from the same genetic background without an insecticidal trait with activity against D. virgifera virgifera. Fifteen individual hybrid maize seeds (of each type) were planted in 3.78 × 10⁻¹ plastic pots and maintained in the greenhouse (26.66 °C (80 °F), 15:9 L:D) and watered as needed. When the plants reached the V2 leaf stage, 112 plants were infested with 100 non-diapaused D. virgifera virgifera eggs. The plants were monitored daily, and the trial ended 14 days after the first beetle appeared. The number of adult D. virgifera virgifera that emerged from each pot was determined in the GH (Growth Group) in a manner similar to that described by Meihls et al. (2008) PNAS 105: 19177-19182. In those bioassays where adult emergence was not quantified, the trial was evaluated when the first beetle appeared. At the end of the trial, the plants were cut above the soil line, and the total number of adults present was counted (Table 7). The root ball was then washed, and the root ball lesion score (CRWNIS) was determined (Oleson et al. 2005, Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1-8.) (Table 7). Table 7. STRAIN FORMULATION ADULT APPEARANCE WT* ADULT APPEARANCE DP-4114* CRWNIS VALUE WT* CRWNIS VALUE DP-4114* 15013-1 Liquid 8.32 6.65 0.56a 0.12a 3213-1 Liquid 6.99 6.99 0.60a 0.13a 23013-3 Liquid 10.26 7.72 0.44a 0.16a 15013-1 Sequential 7.84 7.18 0.57a 0.19a 3213-1 Sequential 8.06 8.12 0.56a 0.16a 23013-3 Sequential 9.22 7.13 0.49a 0.25a Negative control N / A 10.36 7.89 0.82b 0.41b * Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal strain with the negative control given each genotype. A Dunnett multiplicity adjustment was used and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if 113 were less than 0.05. The means of the same GH bioassay with different letters (aob) (CRWNIS or adult emergence) within the hybrid maize genotype (WT or DP-4114) are significantly different (P<0.05). Bioassay results All entomopathogenic fungal strains, in both formulation types, evaluated in the greenhouse bioassay significantly reduced the amount of root damage in both wild-type (WT) and hybrid maize with the DP-4114 trait when applied as a seed treatment in conjunction with conventional seed-applied chemical agents. This was unexpected, as the growth and germination of Metarhizium spp. are significantly slowed by all seed-applied fungicides to maize with activity against filamentous fungi, as in Example 8. The efficacy provided by each of the entomopathogenic fungi when applied as a seed treatment was additive, with no significant interaction in terms of insect efficacy when used with or without DP-4114. The use of these fungal strains provided significant levels of additive root protection and reduced the average number of adult insects emerging from each pot.These data indicate that these fungi are important new tools for use in the development of integrated pest management programs against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and may. 114 can be effectively supplied as a seed treatment in multiple formulation types, even in the presence of a fungicide, either premixed as a liquid with the fungicide or applied to seeds already treated with a fungicide. And TEMPLE 7 Soil incorporation bioassay methodology Whole-plant greenhouse bioassays were conducted using effective entomopathogenic fungal strains identified in laboratory bioassays. The fungal strains were incorporated immediately before planting into a 50:50 mixture of commercial potting soil and topsoil at a rate equivalent to a field application of 2 x 10¹³ CFU / acre. A negative control treatment consisted of unmodified soil containing fungal spores. The experiment was a full factorial design with two factors (fungal strain and genotype). The seed used consisted of a maize hybrid with an insecticidal trait, RyanR (DvSSJl, document 2014 / 0275208 and US2015 / 0257389), IPD072 (document PCT / US14 / 55128), or plants from the same genetic background without an insecticidal trait with activity against D. virgifera virgifera. Individual hybrid maize seeds (of each type) were planted in 3.78 1 plastic pots and kept in the greenhouse (26.66 °C (80 °F), 15:9 L:D) and were watered as needed. When the plants reached the V2 leaf stage, they were infested with 100 D. virgifera eggs. 115 non-diapaused D. virgifera. The plants were monitored daily and the trial ended 14 days after the appearance of the first beetle. The number of adult D. virgifera virgifera that emerged from each pot was determined at 5 GH in a manner similar to that described by Meihls et al. (2008) PNAS 105: 19177-19182. At the end of the trial, the plants were cut above the soil line and the total number of adults present was counted (Table 8). The root ball was then washed and the 10-node lesion value (CRWNIS) was determined (Olesen et al. 2005, Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1-8.) (Table 8). The predicted CRWNIS value and adult occurrence were calculated as in Example 2. Table 8 STRAIN VALUE CRWNIS WT* VALUE CRWNIS DvSSJl* VALUE CRWNIS IPD072* 15013-1 0.30a 0.05a 0.00a 3213-1 0.34a 0.16b 0.00a 23013-3 0.46a 0.17b 0.00a Negative control 1.10b 0.12b 0.08b APPEARANCE APPEARANCE APPEARANCE ADULT STRAIN ADULT STRAIN ADULT STRAIN WT* DvSSJl* IPD072* 116 15013-1 10.47a 5.60a 8.07a 3213-1 8.43a 8.33a 9.21b 23013-3 12.42a 8.29a 11.30b Negative control 18.13b 11.26b 10.27b R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι * Pairwise comparisons were made comparing each fungal strain with the negative control given each genotype. A Dunnett multiplicity adjustment was used, and adjusted p-values ​​were considered statistically significant if they were less than 0.05. Means of the same GH bioassay with different letters (aob) (CRWNIS or adult emergence) within the hybrid maize genotype (WT, DvSSJl, or IPD072) are significantly different (P<0.05). Bioassay results All entomopathogenic fungal strains evaluated in the greenhouse bioassay significantly reduced the amount of root damage in all hybrid maize genotypes tested, with the exception of strains 3213-1 and 23013-3 when applied to DvSSJ1. The efficacy provided by each of the entomopathogenic fungi when incorporated at planting was additive, with no significant interaction in terms of insect efficacy when used with or without an insecticidal trait. All fungal strains significantly reduced the number of adult D. virgifera virgifera beetles that appeared. 117 when incorporated into the soil at planting in all hybrid maize genotypes evaluated, with the exception of strains 3213-1 and 23013-3 when applied to IPD072. However, 3213-1 reduced the number of adult beetles appearing by 10% compared to IPD072 alone. The reduction in adult beetle appearance provided by each of the entomopathogenic fungi when incorporated at planting was additive with no significant interaction when used with or without an insecticidal trait. The use of these fungal strains provided a significant level of root protection and reductions in adult appearance as a result of direct mortality against D. virgifera virgifera with protein not based on Bacillus thuringiensis and insecticidal RNAi traits. The results indicate that the strains can be used to increase the durability of insecticidal traits that are not from Bacillus thuringiensis. EXAMPLE 8 Determination of fungicide sensitivity in Metarhizium spp. Conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae (150131) and Metarhizium robertsii (23013-3) were produced by cultivating the fungus on potato dextrose agar plates for 1–2 weeks at 23 °C under continuous fluorescent lighting. The conidia were collected from the plate in water containing R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι 118 Conidia were counted using a hemocytometer. Fungicide susceptibility was determined by mixing 5,000 conidia in 0.5 mL of YMI liquid medium (2 g yeast extract, 4 g malt extract per liter) containing varying concentrations of commercially available fungicides active against filamentous fungi in a 24-well plate. The plates were incubated for approximately 24 hours at 26 °C and, after growth, were evaluated by visual observation using a stereomicroscope. Table 9. 15013-1 (Conidia in control, without compound (NC) showed long individual germ tubes, >20X the germ tube diameter. Fungal growth completely filled the pocilium.) Fungicide concentration 3 uM 10 uM 30 uM Azoxystrobin + + + — Fludioxonil + + + Thiabendazole + + + + ++ + + +++ + ++++ means growth of approximately 50% or more compared to a control with no fungicide. +++ means growth of approximately 30% or inhibition of approximately 70% compared to a control with no fungicide. ++ means growth of approximately 20% or 119 inhibition of approximately 80% compared to a control with no fungicide. + means approximately 10% growth or approximately 90% inhibition compared to a control with no fungicide. This means absence of growth or complete inhibition compared to a control without any fungicide. Table 10. 23013-3 (conidia in control, without compound (NC) conidia showing long germ tubes, >20X the germ tube diameter. Fungal growth almost completely filled the pocilium.) Fungicide concentration 3 uM 10 uM 30 uM Azoxystrobin + — — Fludioxonil + + + T i abendazo1 +++ ++++ ++++ ++++ means growth of approximately 50% or more compared to a control with no fungicide. +++ means growth of approximately 30% or inhibition of approximately 70% compared to a control with no fungicide. ++ means growth of approximately 20% or inhibition of approximately 80% compared to a control with no fungicide. 120+ means approximately 10% growth or approximately 90% inhibition compared to a control with no fungicide. This means absence of growth or complete inhibition compared to a control without any fungicide. RESULTS M. anisopliae and M. robertsii are sensitive to the active ingredients in commercially available seed fungicide treatments with known activity against filamentous fungi (Table 9 and Table 10). EXAMPLE 9 Selection of Metarhizium strains resistant to fungicides The isolation of fungicide-resistant fungal strains takes advantage of the fact that fungicide resistance is very often the result of a single point mutation in the gene encoding the protein targeted by the fungicide. This point mutation causes an amino acid change in the protein that decreases binding to the target protein and confers a high level of fungicide resistance to the strain harboring this mutation. Fungicide-resistant fungal isolates are selected as follows. Conidia of Metarhizium spp. are produced by cultivating the fungus on potato dextrose agar plates for 1–2 weeks at 23°C under continuous illumination. 121 fluorescent lights. Conidia are collected, counted, and diluted to 10,000,000 / ml in water. The conidia are then exposed to a mutagen for varying lengths of time. For example, conidia can be exposed to UV light for 0.5–3 minutes or to ethyl methanesulfonate (2–3% for 30–60 minutes). After mutagen exposure, the conidia are allowed to recover and express the resistant form of the protein by embedding them in low-melting-point molten YMA agarose. The plates are incubated for approximately 24 hours at 26°C. After the recovery period, the conidia are exposed to the selective compound (e.g., azoxystrobin, fludioxonil, or thiabendazole) by covering the conidia with a second layer of YMA agarose containing the selective fungicide. The fungicide is used at a concentration approximately 10 times higher than the minimum concentration required to inhibit fungal growth.The plates containing conidia growing in the presence of the fungicide are then incubated for 3–10 days and checked periodically for fungal growth. When colonies are found, they are aseptically removed from the selection plates and transferred to fresh culture medium. After growing in the medium without the fungicide, the isolates are tested for fungicide resistance by exposing them to various concentrations of fungicides, and their sensitivity is assessed. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι 122 compares with the wild-type strain. A selected strain is expected to show greater efficacy in inhibiting a plant pathogen, pest, or insect in the presence of a seed treatment comprising a fungicide or other fungicidal application to a plant or part of a plant. EXAMPLE 10 Twelve trial sites were located in commercial corn-growing regions of North America where infestations of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (WCRW) and Diabrotica barberi (NCRW) occur. The planted locations include: Brookings, SD; Goodland, IN; Fowler, IN; (2) Johnston, II; Seymour, IL; Mankato, MN; York, NE; Grafton, NE; and Rochelle, IL. The experimental units comprised seeds treated as in Example 6 and were sown in a 3.048 m (10 ft) long, single-row maize plot with a row spacing of 76.2 cm (30 in). Four replicates per treatment were arranged in a split-plot design with the maize genotype as the main plot and the seed treatment as a subplot. Each experimental unit was infested with approximately 750 western maize rootworm eggs at the early vegetative stage, and two plants per experimental unit were dug up and assigned a CRWNIS. Two maize hybrids without additional traits were used. The fungal strains 123 were applied to the seeds along with conventional commercial seed-applied insecticides (thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole), fungicides (azoxystrobin, fludioxonil, thiabendazole, metalaxyl, and tebuconazole), and polymers. The rate of each insecticide (250 mg of active ingredient / seed) was the rate indicated for the control of certain secondary insect pests of maize. However, at the rates used, none of the conventional insecticide seed treatments provided activity against the maize rootworm. The positive seed treatment control for CRW was PonchoVotivo 1250®. At the conclusion of the field experiment, the plants were cut above the soil line, the root ball was washed, and the CRWNIS was determined (Olesen et al. 2005, Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1-8). Statistical analysis: The ASReml software version 3.0, accessed via TTRS (Transgenic Trait Research System), was used to fit the linear mixed models and to test the contrasts of interest. To better meet the model assumptions, the observed CRWINS values ​​were transformed using a square root transformation before analysis. The best linear unbiased estimates for the seed treatments were presented following back-transformation. Comparisons were made by 124 pairs between seed treatments where a difference was considered statistically significant if the p-value of the difference test was less than 0.05. RESULTS When evaluating active agents for efficacy against corn rootworm (CRM) and corn rootworm (CNRW), the most informative locations are those with high insect pressure (>1.5 CRW feeding nodes). When the two high-pressure locations from the 2015 field trials (Johnston, IA and York, NE) were combined for analysis, the liquid formulation of strain 3213-1 applied as a seed treatment to the non-additional genotype provided statistically significant root protection compared to the negative control at the 0.05 confidence level (Figure 1). The level of control provided by the 3213-1 liquid formulation in the non-additional genotype under high CMW pressure was statistically similar to the efficacy provided by the current conventional commercial chemical seed treatment (Poncho Votivo 1250®) for CMW control (Figure 1).The overall relative performance of all fungal strains in both formulations (liquid and sequential dry) improved root protection in hybrids without additional traits with an improvement of approximately 0.25 nodes compared to the negative control. R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι 125 All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in the descriptive memorandum indicate the level of expertise of the individuals involved in this disclosure. All publications, patents, and patent applications are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference. Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail by illustration and example for the purpose of clarity of understanding, certain changes and modifications may be implemented within the scope of the appended claims. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for carrying out the aforementioned invention is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of increasing the resistance of a plant to a plant pathogen, pest or insect, comprising inoculating a plant, a part of a plant or a plant environment or a part of a plant with a composition comprising a fungal entomopathogen selected from the group consisting of Metarhizium robertsii 15013-1, Metarhizium robertsii 23013-3 and Metarhizium anisopliae 3213-1.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a biocontrol agent selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, a virus, an entomopathogenic nematode, a botanical extract, a protein, a nucleic acid, a secondary metabolite, and an inoculant.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an agrochemically active compound selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a bactericide, and a nematicide.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the agrochemically active compound is a fungicide.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fungicide comprises a fungicidal composition selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, tebuconazole, prothioconazole, 127 ipconazole, penflufen and sedaxane.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of a protectant, a lipochitooligosaccharide, a triglucosamine lipoglycine salt, an isoflavone, and a ryanodine receptor modulator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant, part of the plant or the plant environment or part of the plant further comprises a genetically modified or transgenic plant or part of the plant, or an environment of a genetically modified or transgenic plant or part of the plant.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the genetically modified or transgenic plant or part of the plant comprises an insecticidal trait for beetles.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the insecticidal trait for beetles comprises a Bt trait, a silencing element, or an insecticidal protein that is not Bt.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the genetically modified plant part is a seed.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the genetically modified part of the plant is a leaf.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fungal entomopathogen comprises a spore. 128 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the fungal entomopathogen comprises a conidium.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the fungal entomopathogen comprises a microsclerotium.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-Bt insecticidal protein is selected from the group consisting of a plant-derived insecticidal protein, a non-Bt bacteria / archeobacterial-derived insecticidal protein, an animal-derived insecticidal protein, an AflP-lA and / or AfIP-IB polypeptide, a PHI-4 polypeptide, a PIP-47 polypeptide, a PIP-72 polypeptide, a PtIP-50 polypeptide and a PtIP-65 polypeptide, a PtIP-83 polypeptide and a PtIP-96 polypeptide.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the silencing element is directed to a gene selected from the group consisting of PAT3, RyanR, Sec23, Snf7, vATPase, a COPI α, β oy coatomer subunit, and RPS10.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the trait Bt comprises an event selected from the group consisting of event MON863, event MIR604, event 5307, event DAS-59122, event DP-4114, event MON 87411 and event R? Μτηη / ίζηζ / E / γι MON88017.