To know the potential of entomopathogenic fungi for management of adults of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using the auto-dissemination technique, three isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin and six isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) were characterized physiologically and pathogenically. At the time 50% of conidia germinated (GT₅₀), pathogenicity, effect of relative humidity, and horizontal transmission of the entomopathogen male-female in three ratios (1:5, 1:10, 1:15) were evaluated. In addition, a preliminary device for auto-dissemination of the entomopathogen was evaluated. All isolates were pathogenic (33.3-100%) toward adults of the insect. Pathogenicity and TG₅₀ were very correlated (r = 0.8) and fluctuated from 14.1 to 20.3 hours. Because of intermediate pathogenicity (68.7%) and varying response to humidity (62-100%), isolation of M. anisopliae Ma-San Rafel-2 was used for auto-dissemination bioassays. Transmission of the entomopathogen was a function of the number of females exposed. After 11 days, a male transmitted the fungus to 15 healthy females. The males released in devices prepared with fungus + synthetic sex pheromone were attracted, infected, and killed 5 to 8 days later. Our results are fundamental for management of S. frugiperda through auto-dissemination of entomopathogenic fungi.