Biocontrol Science and Technology (2013) 23, 1307-1323

Shokoofeh Kamali, Javad Karimi, Mojtaba Hosseini, Raquel Campos-Herrera and Larry W. Duncan (2013)
Biocontrol potential of the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae on cucurbit fly, Dacus ciliatus (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Biocontrol Science and Technology 23 (11), 1307-1323
Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from the families Steinernematidae and Hererorhabditidae are considered excellent biological control agents against many insects that damage the roots of crops. In a regional survey, native EPNs were isolated, and laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the infectivity of EPNs against the cucurbit fly, Dacus ciliatus Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae). Preliminary experiments showed high virulence by a native strain of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and a commercial strain of Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). These two strains were employed for further analysis while another native species, Steinernema feltiae, was excluded due to low virulence. In laboratory experiments, larvae and adult flies were susceptible to nematode infection, but both nematode species induced low mortality on pupae. S. carpocapsae had a significantly lower LC₅₀ value against larvae than H. bacteriophora in filter paper assays. Both species of EPNs were effective against adult flies but S. carpocapsae caused higher adult mortality. When EPN species were applied to naturally infested fruit (150 and 300 IJs/cm²), the mortality rates of D. ciliatus larvae were 28% for S. carpocapsae and 12% for H. bacteriophora. Both EPN strains successfully reproduced and emerged from larvae of D. ciliates. In a greenhouse experiment, H. bacteriophora and S. carpocapsae had similar effects on fly larvae. Higher rates of larval mortality were observed in sandy loam and sand soils than in clay loam. The efficacy of S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora was higher at 25 and 30°C than at 19°C. The results indicated that S. carpocapsae had the best potential as a biocontrol agent of D. ciliatus, based on its higher virulence and better ability to locate the fly larvae within infected fruits.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Larry W. Duncan, Javad Karimi

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.
	Dacus ciliatus
Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen)	Dacus ciliatus
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora/Photorhabdus (entomopathogen)	Dacus ciliatus