Background
The armyworm, Spodoptera litura (FABRICIUS) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a widely distributed polyphagous pest that is seriously affecting more than 100 different hosts. Globally, biopesticides are becoming the mainstream as chemicals and biocontrol agents gain more of the market share every year, because some of these biocontrol measures prevent the economic disruption of food crops.
Results
For storage, 3 substrates were tested for entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), viz., polyether polyurethane sponge, distilled water and soil. Best storage medium was found to be polyether polyurethane sponge for 2–12 months of storage at 15–18 °C. For biocontrol evaluation four species of Steinernematidae; Steinernema pakistanense, S. siamkayai, S. ceratophorum and S. bifurcatum, and one species of Heterorhabditidae; Heterorhabditis indica, were used against the armyworm. At 350 IJs/ml S. pakistanense; S. siamkayai, S. ceratophorum, S. bifurcatum and H.indica, showed 95, 78, 74, 90 and 87% mortality, respectively.
Conclusions
Nematode species, long-term storage and shelf life are important considerations for the success of EPNs against target insect pests which in turn are a prerequisite for successful commercialization and this can be achieved by maximum survival of IJs in a formulation for a long period before their utilization in the field.
Background
Globally, termites cause a great problem for the farmers which eat the stalk of the wheat, maize, and the sugarcane and also affect the growth of vegetables. For ecological farming system, biocontrol agents represent a vital implement in pest management policies. Biological control can play a probable, even more considerable part to reduce the adverse possessions of synthetic chemical pesticides.
Results
The present study aimed to evaluate the biocontrol potential of one heterorhabditid species and 4 steinernematid species against the termite species (Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) (Blattodea: Termitidae)) on filter paper bioassay and wooden logs. Among all tested species of the entomopathogenic nematodes, maximum mortality rates 100% were obtained by using Steinernema pakistanense N-KA.04 and S. bifurcatum N-KA.93 after 48 h of the application. S. siamkayai N-KA.12 mortality ranged (85–87%), followed by S. ceratophorum N-KA.57 (77–80%) and then Heterorhabditis indica N-KA.03 (70–77%) at the highest concentrations (350–650 IJs/ml).
Conclusions
The expansion of appropriate application products for the management of termite effectiveness, observing and timing of application, participation of farmers in checking, and judgment is essential to avert disasters of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in field conditions and to make farmers’ confident with the use of the most promising species of EPNs.
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