Pathogenicity of Heterorhabditis indica against developmental stages of Eudocima materna L. (Lepidoptera, Erebidae)

Abstract

Abstract Background Virulence of the entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis indica against larvae (3rd, 4th and 5th larval instars) and pupae of citrus fruit piercing moth, Eudocima materna L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The experiments included pathogenicity assessment of H. indica against larvae and pupae using a range of concentrations (10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 infective juveniles (IJs) larva−1 and pupa−1) as well as evaluation of their reproductive potential on different larval instars with different concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400 and 600 IJs larva−1). Results Application of increasing concentrations of IJs induced higher mortality on larval instars and pupae with mean mortality ranging from 26.6 to 100% (LC50- 3rd (14.43 IJs larva−1), 4th (17.08 IJs larva−1), 5th (23.63 IJs larva−1)) and 10–70% (LC50- 85.91 IJs pupa−1) after 48 h post-exposure, respectively. H. indica successfully reproduced in the 3rd, 4th and 5th larval instars of E. materna and their offspring emerged from the cadavers. The highest reproduction was recorded in 5th instar larvae (1,082,855 IJs larva−1) at 600 IJs larva−1 in E. materna. Conclusion The present study suggests that H. indica strain had the potential for biological control of E. materna.

Keywords

• Biological control
• Citrus fruit piercing moth
• Eudocima materna
• Entomopathogenic nematode
• Heterorhabditis indica
• Mortality