The Role of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Biocontrol Agents Against Some Tephritid Flies

2 Abstract: A study was carried out to determine the efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain HP88 and Steinernema carpocapsae strain All against full-grown larvae and pupae of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata and Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata. Experiments were designed as laboratory and semi-field studies. The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) H. bacteriophora strain HP88 on full-grown larvae and pupae led to higher efficacy of the applied nematodes strains (higher mortality rates lower LC ) than application of S. carpocapsae strain All. Also, treatments of all 50 the chosen insect species by either of the two strains at 25°C resulted higher mortality rates than among the treated at 20°C. The tested of full-grown larvae were the highest mortality rates compared to the pupae. The mortality percentage increased as the concentration increased. This study also revealed that not only the nematode, S. feltiae could be used to control the tephritid flies but also some commercial strains could be successful. Culturing and application of S. feltiae requirements are in need of special conditions which could be not available in warm countries such as Egypt. Therefore, adaption of other species for the biological control of such pests is needed and this was achieved through this study.

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