Virulence of four Steinernema species as a biological control agent in controlling the termite, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Abstract Subterranean termites are an ancient group of social insects, broadly spread, known primarily as economically important pests for the destruction of wooden structures and also as agricultural pests. Many of the banned chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides used to be recommended for the control of termites. Hence, it has become necessary to find alternative measures for termite control in the natural diverse habitats as well as in the cultivated soil to diminish use of these chemicals. Therefore, in the present study, 4 strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) belong to the genus Steinernema were assessed against Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann). These EPN included Steinernema pakistanense NNRC-AS.04, S. siamkayai NNRC-As.12, S. bifurcatum NNRC-As.65, and S. maqbooli NNRC-As.88. Virulence of all strains was determined at 3 different EPN inocula in plastic containers layered with sand. A significant nematode inoculum effect was detected for all the tested EPN species. NNRC-AS.04 and NNRC-As.65 showed the highest virulence effects of 95 and 100%, respectively at 150 IJs/ml.

Keywords

• Entomopathogenic nematode
• Coptotermes heimi
• Virulence
• Biocontrol
• Steinernema spp