Susceptibility of larvae and pupae of T. nigritus to entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis indica Poinar

Abstract

In order to know the susceptibility of larvae and pupae of T.nigritusto entomopathogenic nematode H. indica , the present study is carried out to establish different concentrations of infective juveniles per each 0.25 kg soil (JI.soil-1) and a control treatment to which sterile water was applied. Observations were made 24 hours after inoculating entomopathogenic nematodes and up to 96 hours, and larvae and pupae mortality was assessed. After ten days, individuals with mortality signs were transferred to Whife traps for removal of JI from insect corpses. This experiment was repeated with the use of JI emerged and harvested to check their effectiveness on T. nigritus . Larvae and pupae of T. nigritus showed susceptibility to entomopathogenic nematode H. indica in laboratory conditions. The mortality percentage for both development stages increased as the concentration of JI. soil-1 increased. Ten days after inoculation, nematodes (JI) emerged from the interior of the bodies, and were observed on their surfaces. At concentrations above 1 200 JI, 100 % mortality was achieved

Keywords

• Typophorus nigritus
• Heterorhabditis indica