Pathogenicity, reproduction and foraging behaviours of some entomopathogenic nematodes on a new turf pest, Dorcadion pseudopreissi (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae have considerable potential as biological control agents of soil-inhabiting insect pests. In the present study, the control potential of the EPNs Steinernema carpocapsae (TUR-S4). S. feltiae (Nemaplus), S. carpocapsae (Nemastar). S, feltiae (TUR-S3) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nematop) against a new longicorn pest, Dorcadion pseudopreissi Breuning, 1962 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), on turf was examined in laboratory studies. Pathogenicity test were performed at the following doses: 50, 100 and 150 Dauer Juveniles (DJs)/larva at 25 degrees C. Highest mortalities (75-92%) of the larvae were detected at the dose of 150 DJs/larva for all nematodes used. Reproduction capabilities of the used EPNs were examined at doses of 50, 75, 100 and 150 DJs/larva at 25 degrees C. S. carpocapsae (TUR-S4) had the most invasions (32 DJs/larva and reproduction (28042 DJs/larva) at the dose of 100 DJs, and the highest reproduction (per invaded DJ into a larva) was observed in H. bacteriophora (Nematop) (2402.85 DJs) at a dose of 50 DJs. The foraging behaviour of the nematodes in the presence of D. pseudopreissi and Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Galleriidae) larvae was studied using a Petri dish filled with sand at 20 degrees C. All of the used nematodes accumulated near the larvae section of both insect species (32-53% of recovered DJs) with a higher percentage of S. carpocapsae (TUR-S4) (53%) and H. bacteriophora (48%) (Nematop) moving towards larvae of D. pseudopreissi, than the S. feltiae strains.