BioControl (2017) 62, 847-855

Ernesto San-Blas, Mariangel Luzardo, Edgar Portillo, Yvan Fuenmayor and Brynelly Bastidas (2017)
Heterorhabditis amazonensis for biological control of fungus gnats Bradysia difformis in Daisy gerberas
BioControl 62 (6), 847-855
Abstract: Fungus gnats (FG) have been reported in Venezuelan greenhouses recently. Bradysia difformis Frey (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) was found attacking Daisy gerbera plants [Gerbera sp. L. (Asterales: Asteraceae)] and many other crops in the country causing serious damages. Heterorhabditis amazonensis Andaló et al. (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), was used to assess the mortality of larvae and adults of FG, number of invader nematodes per larvae and to compare the mortality of FG using nematodes and/or ciromazine under laboratory conditions. In a commercial flower farm, different doses of these nematodes were applied for eight weeks to control FG. The results showed 95% of mortality of the B. difformis larvae under laboratory conditions and performed better in the field when 50,000 nematodes were applied in every pot as a base dose to initiate a control programme. According to our results, H. amazonensis has the potential to become a regular organism for controlling fungus gnat larvae in tropical greenhouses.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ernesto San-Blas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bradysia difformis	Gerbera (crop)	Venezuela
Heterorhabditis amazonensis (entomopathogen)	Bradysia difformis	Gerbera (crop)	Venezuela