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Field efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae against the Mediterranean flat‐headed rootborer Capnodis tenebrionis
Author(s) -
Morton A.,
GarcíadelPino F.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2008.01300.x
Subject(s) - biology , entomopathogenic nematode , biological pest control , pest analysis , nematode , orchard , horticulture , population , larva , mediterranean climate , buprestidae , veterinary medicine , botany , ecology , medicine , demography , sociology
The Mediterranean flat‐headed rootborer, Capnodis tenebrionis (L.) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an economically important pest of stone fruit and seed fruit in Mediterranean areas. The potential control of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (strain Bpa), isolated from a dead C. tenebrionis larva, was tested in a cherry tree orchard in Ullastrell, Barcelona (Spain). Nematode infective juveniles (IJs) were applied by drench and injection. In both the treatments, a rate of 1 million IJs was applied per tree every week during 4 or 8 weeks, with a total dose of 4 × 10 6 IJs/tree and 8 × 10 6 IJs/tree. Number, stage and localization of insects in each tree trunk were recorded. In both the experiments, S. feltiae significantly reduced the population of C. tenebrionis providing control ranging from 88.3% to 97%. No significant differences were recorded between the different treatments. Persistence of nematodes was recorded until 6 weeks after application. Results indicate that the application of S. feltiae (Bpa) provides adequate control of C. tenebrionis in cherry trees.