SENSITIVITY OF Agrotis exclamationis L. (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) LARVAE TO NATIVE STRAINS OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES

Abstract

Noctuinae are a challenge for effective control in vegetable crops. The species most dangerous for agricultural crops in central Europe are: Agrotis segetum, A. exclamationis, Xestia c-nigrum. The aim of presented study was to assess the sensitivity of A. exclamationis to 8 native strains of entomopathogenic nematode srepresenting two species: Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) and Heterorhabditis megidis (Poinar, Jackson & Klein) in laboratory conditions. Presented study showed markedly higher effectiveness of strains Steinernematidae over the strain of H. megidis. Obtained results show that in the attempts to control A. exclamationis, selection of strain and nematode dose are equally important.

Keywords

• Agrotis exclamationis
• biological control
• native strains of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis