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BY-NC-ND 3.0 license Open Access Published by De Gruyter Open Access December 25, 2011

Effectiveness of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae in agar gel formulations against larvae of the Colarado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

  • Hany Hussein EMAIL logo , Manal Adel and Ivan Gelbič
From the journal Open Life Sciences

Abstract

The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae strain Ustinov Russia was used on potato foliage to control larvae of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Nematodes were applied in formulations of agar at 4%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% concentrations and compared to a control application of nematodes in water for nematode survival. Agar formulation significantly improved efficacy by increasing nematode survival through reduction in desiccation when compared to water-based formulation. More than 70% of infective juvenile nematodes (IJs) died after being incubated in the highest concentration of agar for 12 h, while only 8% mortality was recorded at the 1% concentration. Suspension of nematodes in 1% agar gel was shown to be efficacious in both laboratory and greenhouse tests for extension of the nematodes’ survival. Agar formulation droplets dried slower than control droplets by 127.8 min. Leptinotarsa decemlineata mortality significantly increased when insects were exposed to infective juvenile nematodes for four hours after application. In conclusion, the agar formulation enhanced nematode survival by providing a suitable environment thereby delaying dryingand increasing the possibility for nematodes to invade their host on the foliage.

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Published Online: 2011-12-25
Published in Print: 2012-2-1

© 2011 Versita Warsaw

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

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