The study was aimed at estimating species structure and density of entomopathogenic fungi in soils of forest plantations that are a natural habitat of the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis L. Soil samples were collected in spring and autumn 2010 and 2011 in forest districts of northern, central and southern Poland. Fungi were isolated from soils with the trap insect method and on selective growing media. As a result, 5 species of entomopathogenic fungi were isolated: Beauveria bassiana, Isaria farinosa, Isaria fumosorosea, Metarhizium anisopliae and Verticillium lecanii, of which I. fumosorosea and M. anisopliae were isolated most frequently. The number of infected trap insects and the number of fungal colonies isolated on growing medium differed depending on the term and place of soil sampling. It seems that type of forest habitat might be the factor affecting species structure and the number of entomopathogenic fungi in forest plantations established on clear cuttings, where stumps of coniferous trees provide the place for development of the large pine weevil.

Key words: entomopathogenic fungi, forest plantation, Hylobius abietis, soil