Peridroma saucia (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest that attacks nearly all vegetable fields in Turkey. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are successfully used as a biological control agent. The efficacy of four EPNs, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltia, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and H. indica against the last instar larvae of the pest, was tested under laboratory conditions. Suspensions of nematodes were applied at four concentrations (10, 50, 100 and 200 infective juveniles/larva) at 25 ± 1°C. Mortality percent was evaluated 48 and 96 h post application. Mortality rate increased with increasing concentrations. The highest effect caused 70% mortality by H. bacteriophora and H. indica species after 48 h exposure time and the lowest mortality was 33% for Steinernema carpocapsae. There was no significant difference between virulence of Heterohabditis spp. and Steinernema spp. when tested against the larvae of P. saucia after 96 h exposure time. These results showed that EPNs have a significant potential in the biological control of P. saucia under controlled conditions.

The ground beetles, Zabrus spp. Clairville, 1806 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is one of the major pests of wheat plants across the world, and the control of this pest is a challenging issue. In the present study, the control potential of two local entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species [Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, 1976 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae Filipjev, 1934 (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)] against the larvae of Zabrus spp. was evaluated with two trials under field conditions in 2015. EPNs were applied at the concentration of 1 x 10 6 IJs m -2 to the soil surface in mid-April and the number of alive larvae was assessed 14 days after treatment (AT). In addition, Zabrus spp.damaged wheat plants were counted to establish the efficacy of EPNs on the larvae of Zabrus spp. in short (14 days AT) and long term (6 months AT). EPNs reduced the number of alive Zabrus spp. larvae by at least 50% as compared to the control treatments in both trials. Altgough there was a remarkable decrease in the number of Zabrus spp.-damaged wheat plants to which EPNs were applied, this decrease did not produce a significant effect. Present findings indicate that EPNs tested have a good potential for sustainable management of Zabrus spp.