Effectiveness of different species of entomopathogenic nematodes for biocontrol of the Mediterranean flatheaded rootborer, Capnodis tenebrionis (Linné) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in potted peach tree

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes to different stages of the flatheaded root borer, Capnodis tenebrionis (L.) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

“…The presence of EPN in these orchards and the occurrence of S. feltiae and S. carpocapsae in C. tenebrionis larvae (García-del-Pino, 1994;Santos Lobatón et al, 1998;Morton & García-del-Pino, 2008a) inside tree trunks suggest that EPN are natural enemies of this pest and could provide a natural biocontrol of C. tenebrionis in the field. In conclusion, the findings of the present study strongly suggest that EPN have a high potential for use as control agents for all stages of C. tenebrionis in stone fruit orchards.…”

“…The flatheaded root borer, Capnodis tenebrionis L. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an important pest of stone fruits (peach, cherry, apricot, almond, nectarine, plum) and seed fruit (apple, pear) in Southern European and Mediterranean areas (Morton & García-del-Pino, 2008a). These insects have a 1-or 2-year life-cycle.…”

“…Biological control with fungi (Marannino et al, 2006) and nematodes have been shown to be potential alternatives to chemical insecticides. Several species of EPN have been reported to infect C. tenebrionis larvae in the laboratory (García-del-Pino, 1994;Santos Lobatón et al, 1998;Maranino et al, 2003;García-del-Pino & Morton, 2005;Morton & García-del-Pino, 2008a) and in the field (Martínez et al, 2008;Morton & García-del-Pino, 2008b). Although the experiments have shown the effectiveness of EPN against C. tenebrionis larvae, there are no studies to assay the susceptibility of other stages or to select the appropriate species or strain.…”

Comparison of indigenous and exotic entomopathogenic nematode strains for control of the cedar web-spinning sawfly,Cephalcia tannourinensis in vitro

“…Many authors (Ehlers, Oestergaard, Hollmer, Wingen, & Strauch, 2005;Iraki et al, 2000;Millar & Barbercheck, 2001;Morton & García Del Pino, 2008;Triggiani & Tarasco, 2002) highlighted the importance of using indigenous nematode isolates for pest control. In fact, indigenous strains might be more suitable for inundative release against local insect pests because they are adapted to the biotic conditions of the treated ecosystem.…”

Nematode Pathogenesis of Insects and Other Pests

“…Semi-field tests using potted peach trees and testing 13 populations of S. feltiae, S. affine, S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora for control of early larval stages revealed the ability of IJs to locate and kill C. tenebrionis larvae in the galleries that they make in the roots. Steinernema feltiae and H. bacteriophora populations provided up to 88 and 77 % control, respectively (Morton & Garcia-del-Pino, 2008a). applied EPNs on soil just before penetration of neonate larvae into the roots, and obtained 100 % control with S. carpocapsae and 99 % with H. bacteriophora.…”