Pest Management Science (2016) 72, 1702-1709

Veerle M. Van Damme, Bert K.E.G. Beck, Els Berckmoes, Rob Moerkens, Lieve Wittemans, Raf De Vis, David Nuyttens, Hans F. Casteels, Martine Maes, Luc Tirry and Patrick De Clercq (2016)
Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against larvae of Tuta absoluta in the laboratory
Pest Management Science 72 (9), 1702-1709
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have indicated the control potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against Tuta absoluta. Here, the potential of Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is studied when applied against larvae of T. absoluta inside leaf mines in tomato leaf discs by means of an automated spray boom.
RESULTS
The studied EPN species were effective against all four larval instars of T. absoluta but caused higher mortality in the later instars (e.g. fourth instar: 77.1–97.4% mortality) than in the first instars (36.8–60.0% mortality). Overall, S. feltiae and S. carpocapsae yielded better results than H. bacteriophora. Steinernema carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora performed better at 25 °C (causing 55.3 and 97.4% mortality respectively) than at 18 °C (causing 12.5 and 34.2% mortality respectively), whereas S. feltiae caused 100% mortality at both temperatures. Under optimal spraying conditions and with the use of Addit and Silwet L-77 adjuvants, a reduced dosage of 6.8 infective juveniles (IJs) cm^-2 yielded equally good control as a recommended dosage of 27.3 IJs cm^-2.
CONCLUSION
Under laboratory conditions, S. feltiae and S. carpocapsae showed good potential against the larvae of T. absoluta inside tomato leaf mines. Results need to be confirmed in greenhouse experiments.
(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): Patrick De Clercq, Luc Tirry, Raf M.J. De Vis, Martine Maes, Bert Beck, David Nuyttens

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea absoluta
Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen)	Phthorimaea absoluta
Steinernema feltiae/Xenorhabdus bovienii (entomopathogen)	Phthorimaea absoluta