Potential of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) as a biological control agent against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

The entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, was evaluated for control of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, under laboratory conditions. We evaluated different concentrations of S. carpocapsae for control of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instar P. operculella. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of S. carpocapsae infective juveniles (IJs) to 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae of P. operculella was 200, 363, 181 IJs mL−1, respectively. With the extension of treatment time, the cumulative mortality increased for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instar larvae and pupae of P. operculella. Fourth instars were the most susceptible for all observation periods. Therefore, our results suggest that S. carpocapsae could be an effective biological control agent for P. operculella.

Keywords

• Steinernema carpocapsae
• Phthorimaea operculella
• patato
• integrated biological pest control