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Background  The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) for the control of adult mosquitoes is a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides. Previous studies have only evaluated conidiospores against adult mosquitoes. However, blastospores, which are highly virulent against mosquito larvae and pupae, could also be effective against adults.    Methods   Metarhizium anisopliae  (ESALQ 818 and LEF 2000) blastospores and conidia were first tested against adult  Aedes aegypti  by spraying insects with spore suspensions. Blastospores were then tested using an indirect contact bioassay, exposing mosquitoes to fungus-impregnated cloths. Virulence when using blastospores suspended in 20% sunflower oil was also investigated.    Results  Female mosquitoes sprayed with blastospores or conidia at a concentration of 10 8  propagules ml −1  were highly susceptible to both types of spores, resulting in 100% mortality within 7 days. However, significant differences in virulence of the isolates and propagules became apparent at 10 7  spores ml −1 , with ESALQ 818 blastospores being more virulent than LEF 2000 blastospores. ESALQ 818 blastospores were highly virulent when mosquitoes were exposed to black cotton cloths impregnated with blastospores shortly after preparing the suspensions, but virulence declined rapidly 12 h post-application. The addition of vegetable oil to blastospores helped maintain virulence for up to 48 h.    Conclusion  The results showed that blastospores were more virulent to adult female  Ae. aegypti  than conidia when sprayed onto the insects or applied to black cloths. Vegetable oil helped maintain blastospore virulence. The results show that blastospores have potential for use in integrated vector management, although new formulations and drying techniques need to be investigated.    Graphical abstractSupplementary Information  The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05055-z.

Metarhizium anisopliae blastospores are highly virulent to adult Aedes aegypti, an important arbovirus vector