EFFICACY OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES AND FUNGI FOR CONTROLLING THE TOMATO LEAF MINER, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae)

Abstract

Susceptibility of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae) larvae, pupae and adults to entomopathogenic nematode, Steirnernema carpocapsae and two fungal species; Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae was investigated under laboratory conditions. Applied concentrations against the last instar larvae and different ages of the pupae, using leaf and soil treatments, were 250, 500,1000 IJs/ml for the nematode and 108, 109,1010 spores/ml for the fungi. Soil applications of the nematode and fungi resulted to high mortality (100, 100 and 93.3%) of4thinstar larvae while low pupal mortality (46.7,30and 23.3% ),respectively. In leaf treatment a high level of larval mortality (93.3, 90 and 80%) was recorded revealing S. carpocapsae, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, respectively. The present study also showed also susceptibility of Tuta absoluta adults to the three pathoens. The results demonstrated suitability of entomopathogenic nematode and fungi for controlling T. absoluta.

Keywords

• tuta absoluta
• steirnernema carpocapsae
• beau-veria bassiana
• metarhizium anisopliae
• bio-logical control