engleski

Susceptibility of Phytodecta fornicata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

The infectivity of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora for adult stage of Phytodecta fornicata was evaluated in the laboratory. Two different nematode concentrations (1000 and 2000 infective juveniles [IJs] per adult) were tested at temperatures 30 and 22°C. Mortality of insects were checked on 3rd day, and emergence of IJs from cadavers on 8 and 11th day post infection. For the first time, the experiment demonstrate that H. bacteriophora applied in rate of 1000 IJs per beetle is causing 100% mortality of P. fornicate and IJs are developed inside adult insect cadavers. The effect of temperature and concentration of nematode preparation was of lesser importance. The harvest of IJs from cadavers was obtained but with low population level. The time of emergence of IJs was temperature dependent. In order to develop cost effective and sustainable control measure, further mortality studies on individuals, with other species and strains, and assays with more realistic environments are needed.

Phytodecta fornicata ; Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ; mortality ; emergence

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