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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Fumigant effect of trans-anethole and carbon dioxide mixture against to Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus oryzae In this study, fumigant activity of trans-anethole and carbon dioxide (CO2) mixtures were tested against stored grain insect, Rhyzopertha dominica (Col.: Bostrichidae), Tribolium castaneum (Col.: Tenebrionidae), and Sitophilus oryzae (Col.: Curculionidae). Rhyzopertha dominica and S. oryzae were most sensitive insects to fumigant trans-anethole and CO2. Dose-response bioassay was carried out on the R. dominica and S. oryzae. As a result, R. dominica and S. oryzae were most sensitive insects to the mixture of trans-anethole and CO2. Moreover, mixture of trans-anethole and CO2 (1.5 ml/l + 60% CO2) caused rapid mortality (100%) at the end of the 24 h gave 100% mortality for all insects. LC50 values of trans-anethole were calculated 1.414 ml/l and 1.272 ml/l for the S. oryzae and R. dominica, respectively. These results indicate that the mixtures of trans-anethole and CO2 have a great potential as a fumigant in the management of R. dominica, S. oryzae, and T. castaneum.