The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, is a deleterious pest worldwide affecting fruit production. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a potential biocontrol agent that could be effectively used to control this Mediterranean fruit fly. In this study, five EPN strains reported from different fields in Morocco were evaluated for their efficacy against C. capitata. In laboratory assays, Steinernema feltiae-SF-MOR9, S. feltiae-SF-MOR10 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora-HB-MOR7 strains showed significantly higher infectivity and penetration rates when compared to the other strains. S. feltiae-SF-MOR9 caused the highest larval mortality rate (80%) at 50 infective juveniles (IJs) cm−2. However, additional results showed that both S. feltiae strains were significantly effective in controlling C. capitata larvae in apricot (Prunus armeniaca) fruits on soil surface with high mortality rate at 50 and 100 IJs cm−2. Different soil textures and moisture levels resulted in a significant variation in EPN strain virulence against C. capitata. Sandy clay loam soil in combination with 50 IJs cm−2 of S. feltiae (SF-MOR9 or SF-MOR10) caused a higher mortality rate of C. capitata larvae. Furthermore, applying these EPN strains at 50–100 IJs cm−2 in combination with 10–15% moisture level showed optimal results against C. capitata larvae. Therefore, those two Moroccan EPN strains could be used as promising eco-friendly biological agents against C. capitata.
The effect of elevated CO on the demography of the arachnid species Tetranychus urticae feeding on Phaseolus vulgaris plants was analysed. This class of herbivores (Arachnida) and its feeding guild (cell content feeders) are under-represented in studies of the combined effects of herbivory and CO. The growth of bean was strongly stimulated by elevated CO. The number of leaves on lateral stems and of flowers increased but pod weight decreased. Leaf nitrogen content was 25% lower at elevated CO due to an increase in non-structural sugar concentration. Leaf water content was lower at elevated CO while leaf-specific mass and epidermis thickness were higher. Females of the mite raised at ambient or elevated CO, but all fed with leaves grown at ambient CO, had similar progenies. When females were raised on plants grown at elevated CO, the numbers of their progeny were reduced by 34% and 49% in the first and second generation respectively. Later stages of development were more reduced in elevated CO, suggesting that both fecundity and rate of development were affected. This study suggests that the abundance of T. urticae, and consequently the damage to the many crops it infests, might decrease in a future elevated-CO environment.
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