Background The codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L). (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of apple in Turkey and other apple producing countries in the world. Several control methods are available for reducing the pest populations. Entomopathogenic nematode (EPNs), for example, can be used as a potential alternative to chemical insecticides to control codling moth larvae in the soil as eco-friendly management their hosts that can actively find them in cryptic locations. Results Efficacy of 4 EPN isolates, Steinernema carpocapsae (Bakışlı), S. feltiae (ES-3), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (TOK-20) and H. bacteriophora (11-KG) for controlling the 1st instar larvae of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Codling moth was susceptible to different rates to all the 4 EPN isolates. All nematode trials were more effective than the control (water). The overall mortality caused by S. carpocapsae (Bakışlı 05) was significantly higher than the other EPN species. S. carpocapsae was the most effective with the highest tested concentration (100 IJs/larva), killing 82.63% of codling moth larvae, followed by S. feltilae (ES-3), with a mortality rate of 71.5%. H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) exhibited the least mortality at 25 IJs/larva concentration in all experiments. Conclusion The study proved that these nematodes were very efficient and could be used to control codling moth in biological control programs.

Background Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) (Mediterranean fruit fly), is one of the important polyphagous pest species in the world that harms almost all fruits causing significant yields losses. Control of this pest which is on the quarantine list of many countries is highly important. Due to the negative effects of chemical control on the environment and human health, biological control approaches have gained importance. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a potential biological control agent that can be used for effectively controlling the Medfly. Results In this study, effects of four EPNs species on larvae, pupae and adults of Medfly were investigated under laboratory conditions. Four different concentrations of EPNs species were used against each stage of the pest. It pest showed different sensitivity to different concentrations of each of the tested EPNs. High mortality rate of 94% was caused by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (11 KG),, followed by H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) with 91%, Steinernema carpocapsae (85%) and S. feltiae (Tokat-Emir) with 71% at highest concentration (200 IJ/larvae. The highest effect on adult mortality (100%) was recorded by the species S. feltiae (Tokat-Emir) at the highest concentration (200 IJ/adult) in the trials, followed by H. bacteriophora (11 KG) with 92%, H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) with 91% and S. carpocapsae (Tokat-Bakışlı05) with 87.37% mortality rates at the same concentrations. Conclusions It was determined that the EPNs tested in this study had insecticidal properties and they might be used in biological control programs against the Medfly.

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Bu çalışma, Ege Bölgesi’nde şeftali yetiştiriciliği yapılan alanlarda görülen Kök-ur nematodu türleri (Meloidogyne spp.)’nin belirlenmesi ve yayılışının saptanması amacıyla 2013 yılında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın materyali, Ege Bölgesi’ndeki şeftali yetiştiriciliği yapılan toplam 239 bahçeden alınan toprak örnekleri ve bitki kök örneklerinden oluşmuştur. Analiz çalışmalarında 100 gr topraktaki popülasyon yoğunluklarına bakılarak illerdeki yaygınlık durumu tespit edilmiştir. Toprak analizleri sonucunda, Kök ur nematodları İzmir ilinde şeftali alanlarının yoğun olduğu ilçelerden Selçuk ilçesinde 9, Tire ilçesinde 5, Torbalı ilçesinde 2 bahçede tespit edilirken, Aydın ve Manisa illerine bağlı ilçelerde bulunamamıştır. Yapılan gözlemler sonucunda özellikle Solanaceae familyasına (domates, biber, patlıcan) ait kültür bitkileri ile ara tarımın yapıldığı bahçelerde Kök-ur nematodları daha yoğun bulunmuştur. Tür teşhisi çalışmaları sonucunda şeftali alanlarından alınan örneklerde, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid, White 1919) (% 63,4)’nın Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) (%36,6)’ya göre daha yaygın olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Background Potato tuber worm (PTM) [Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] is one of the most significant and widespread pests of potato. PTM damages potatoes both in the field and in potato storage areas. Control of the pest is getting harder as it is developing resistance to pesticides. Several entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species have been reported to successfully control numerous agricultural pests worldwide. The main aim of the study was to isolate native nematode/s as a biological control agent against P. operculella. Morphometric measurements of the infective juvenile (IJ) and sequencing and characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to identify the nematode isolate to species level. The efficacy of EPN isolate Z-1 obtained from Zonguldak province, Turkey was tested against different life stages of the pest. Experiments were conducted in 150 ml plastic pots containing sterile soil mixture. Four EPN concentrations (i.e., 0, 250, 500 and 1000 IJs/ml) were applied to the soil. Data relating to the mortality of different life stages were collected daily till 6 days after inoculation. Results Molecular analyses based on the ITS sequence and morphometric data revealed that isolate Z-1 was Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Mortality rates of PTM larvae exposed to 250, 500, and 1000 IJs/ml concentrations of native EPN were 62.9 ± 9.8, 74.0 ± 3.7, and 92.5 ± 3.7%, respectively. There were non-significant differences among tested EPN concentrations for pupal mortality and the highest concentration (i.e., 1000 IJs/ml) caused 25.6% mortality. Conclusions The results revealed that the native H. bacteriophora isolate was effective against late-stage larvae of PTM under laboratory conditions. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative management option of the pest.