engleski

Management of Colorado potato beetle overwintering adults with entomopathogenic nematodes

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) developed resistance to all major classes of chemical insecticides, so other solutions are needed for its control. One possible solution is to reduce adult population during the overwintering. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) seem to be effective, but their efficacy on CPB has not been sufficiently explored in Croatia. This two-year (2018-2019) field study investigated the efficacy of Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema carpocapsae applied in three different doses on overwintering CPB adults. Entomological cages were set up in the treated field from mid April till mid May 2018 to monitor CPB emergence. In 2019, the EPNs were applied in the same doses but on a different field and will be monitored in cages as well. Results from 2018 have shown that in the plots treated with S. feltiae, the emergence of adults occurred from 19 April until 10 May. In the plots treated with S. carpocapsae, the emergence was somewhat earlier (16 April) and lasted ten days shorter (until 30 April) than in plots treated with S. feltiae. On untreated plot, the emergence was recorded from 13 April till 7 May. The results of efficacy were satisfactory for both species: S. feltiae had an efficacy from 79.03% to 100.00%, while S. carpocapsae efficacy was between 77.32% and 96.22%. Both nematodes were most effective at the highest doses. The efficacy at recommended doses was also satisfactory (96.22% for S. feltiae ; 77.32% for S. carpocapsae). First results indicate that EPNs are effective tool for overwintering adult control.

colorado potato beetle, EPN, potato, biological control

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