Phytoparasitica (2008) 36, 95-100
G. Salpiggidis, E. Navrozidis and M. Copland (2008)
Entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) as control agents for Parahypopta caestrum, a pest in the culture of Asparagus officinalis
Phytoparasitica 36 (1), 95-100
Abstract: The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernema feltiae (under the trade name Entonem) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (under the trade name Larvanem) were evaluated as potential control agents of Parahypopta caestrum, the major pest of the asparagus crop in Greece. In laboratory experiments the two nematodes provided equal insect suppression, but significant differences were found in the time it took them to kill the larvae. S. feltiae caused high levels of mortality within 24 h and the highest level at 48 h. In contrast, H. bacteriophora required 96 h to achieve the highest level of mortality. In field experiments, the nematodes provided equal insect suppression as compared with the insecticide cadusaphos and the mixture teflubenzuron + Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki. No significant differences were found in the effectiveness of the insecticides used, but there were significant differences between the control and treatments. The findings showed that S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora could be used to control the insect P. caestrum in asparagus culture.
(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): Emmanuel I. Navrozidis
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
control - general
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
