Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes to different stages of the flatheaded root borer, Capnodis tenebrionis (L.) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract

The virulence of 14 Steinernema feltiae isolates, one S. carpocapsae and three Heterorhabditis bacteriophora isolates was compared in the laboratory against larvae, pupae and adults of the flatheaded root borer, Capnodis tenebrionis. Larval mortality ranged from 50 to 100% and pupae mortality from 0 to 70%. Adults were exposed to different nematode concentrations, 50 and 100 infective juveniles/cm 2 . Steinernema feltiae caused the highest mortality at the two doses tested, reaching 66.7% and 100%, respectively. Significant differences in mortality between C. tenebrionis males and females were observed. The differences in virulence observed at each stage of C. tenebrionis vary within a species and can be higher than differences among species. The results of this study suggest that some of the isolate strains have potential for improved biological control of C. tenebrionis.

Ecological characterization of entomopathogenic nematodes isolated in stone fruit orchard soils of Mediterranean areas

“…The scores among traits were then added for each strain. For the traits comparison virulence to larvae, pupae and adults of C. tenebrionis of a previous study (Morton and García-del-Pino, 2009) were included.…”

Laboratory and field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of Agriotes obscurus (L.) (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

“…Furthermore, endemic nematodes, adapted to a specific habitat, have often been proven as the best strains to control endemic insect pests (Bedding et al. ; Millar and Barbecheck ; Morton and Garcia‐del‐Pino , ).…”

Nematode Pathogenesis of Insects and Other Pests

“…In addition to the control provided by fungal applications, EPNs in the genus Steinernema have been shown effective for controlling different C. tenebrionis stages (Garcia-del-Pino & Morton, 2005;Morton & Garcia-del-Pino, 2009a), as we will describe in detail in the following sections. that differences of susceptibility between sexes are related to penetration of IJs through genital apertures (Morton & Garcia-del-Pino, 2013).…”

“…A subsequent laboratory study evaluated the virulence of different EPN species/populations against the last larval stage of C. tenebrionis, pupae and adults (Morton & Garcia-del-Pino, 2009a). At a concentration of 50 IJs/cm 2 , H. bacteriophora, S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae caused 100 % mortality of last instar larvae (Fig.…”

“…Means with the same letter do not differ significantly (P D 0.05) (Reprinted with permission fromMorton and Garcia-del-Pino (2009a)) …”