Efficiency of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) on the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) under controlled conditions

Abstract

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.

Identification and Biocontrol Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Endosymbiotic Bacteria in Apple Orchards against the Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

“…However, S. carpocapsae performed better than H. bacteriophora. In another study conducted by Ya gci et al [22], S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae exhibited superior virulence to H. bacteriophora against the first larvae of C. pomonella, which is contradictory to the findings of this study. In a previous study evaluating the field performance of different EPN species against C. pomonella larvae, S. feltiae and S. carpocasae caused similar mortalities at concentrations of 50 IJs/mL [12].…”

“…Although EPNs are soil-originated organisms, their ability to find and infect insect pests in cryptic habitats such as crevices in wood and litter at the base of trees where the fifth instar larvae of C. pomonella choose to pupate makes them a perfect candidate for the biological management of orchards [18]. Earlier laboratory and field studies showed that first and fifth instar C. pomonella larvae were susceptible to EPNs [19][20][21][22]. However, to our knowledge, there is no study assessing the effectiveness of EPNs recovered from apple orchards on the larvae of C. pomonella.…”

Exploring the Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and the Natural Products Derived from Their Symbiotic Bacteria to Control the Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

“…This study showed that the EPNs could be effective biological control agents against EGVM larvae and pupae in vineyards. In agreement with previous studies against other tortricid species, including L. vanillana, EPN virulence differed among nematode species [35,38,39,41,42]. As observed for C. pomonella [38], our S. carpocapsae population resulted in being the most virulent against the various larval and pupal stages.…”

“…In agreement with previous studies against other tortricid species, including L. vanillana, EPN virulence differed among nematode species [35,38,39,41,42]. As observed for C. pomonella [38], our S. carpocapsae population resulted in being the most virulent against the various larval and pupal stages. However, the virulence varied depending on the larval instar, with L1 being the least susceptible, which was probably due to size reasons and may have been too small for EPN.…”

“…Although one of the limitations for the use of the EPN against the EGVM is their main distribution in the aboveground part of the vineyard, the current biotechnological improvements in the aerial application of EPNs has broadened the range of target pests, including this tortricid species [33]. Previous studies have shown the compatibility of EPN aerial applications against various tortricid species such as Cydia pomonella (L.) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) [34][35][36][37][38]. Furthermore, a recent study has shown the high virulence of two EPN species (S. yirgalemense and S. jeffreyense) against tortricid larvae in the species Lobesia vanillana (De Joannis) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a sporadic pest in vineyards in South Africa [39].…”