Conidial production, persistence and pathogenicity of hydromulch formulations of Metarhizium brunneum F52 microsclerotia under forest conditions

•Conidia production continued to increase over 30days in all but one spray trial.•Microsclerotia in hydromulch produced 5.5×106conidia/cm2 within 20–30d outdoors.•More conidia were produced in periods of higher temperature and moisture.•Mortality varied between spray trials for males (14–92%) and females (56–100%).•Reapplication of a potential field product might only need to occur after 6weeks.