2005 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report documents research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the University of Vermont. Additional details of this research can be found in the report of the parent project 1907-22410-003-00D "Microbial and Genetic Resources for Biological Control and High-Value Uses". This new agreement was established in May 2005, so no significant results are yet available to report. However the work plan for the remainder of FY-05 and FY-06 includes further work on testing the persistence and efficacy of granular formulations of fungal isolates active against pear thrips (PT; Taeniothrips inconsequens) in maple forest loam soils or against western flower thrips (WFT; Frankliniella occidentalis) in standard soil and soil-free potting media in greenhouses. Particular attention will be given to determining the most effective timing for and the impacts of applications of fungi against WFT in greenhouses. Research on improving formulations for thrips-active fungal isolates will continue. Long-term cryopreservation and cataloging of an extensive collection of fungal cultures isolated from thrips will continue, as will testing of >250 recently isolated strains of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana against WFT to find optimal isolates for further development against this major pest insect.