Bulletin of Entomological Research (2005) 95, 321-327
A.G.S. Cuthbertson, J.P. North and K.F.A. Walters (2005)
Effect of temperature and host plant leaf morphology on the efficacy of two entomopathogenic biocontrol agents of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 95 (4), 321-327
Abstract: The efficacy of two entomopathogenic biocontrol agents, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) and Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Viégas (reclassified now as Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch) Zare and Gams), against Thrips palmi Karny was investigated. Assessments of the effect of temperature on the efficacy of S. feltiae indicated that higher mortality of T. palmi was recorded at 20°C compared to either 15 or 25°C, whereas significantly higher T. palmi mortality followed application of L. muscarium at 25°C. Testing the control agents efficacy on three host plants; chrysanthemum, sweet pepper and cucumber, under constant temperature and high humidity conditions produced no significant difference in the level of T. palmi larval mortality on each host plant. Incorporating the chemical insecticide imidacloprid with both biological agents in a combined control strategy increased T. palmi juvenile mortality. The potential role of S. feltiae and L. muscarium within integrated pest management programmes for the control of T. palmi is discussed.
(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): Andrew G.S. Cuthbertson, Keith F.A. Walters
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
control - general
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
application technology
