Control potential of Heterorhabditis amazonensis (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) in avocado borer, Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)

Vanessa Andaló,Lucas Silva De Faria,Renan Zampiroli,Fábio Janoni Carvalho,Naessa Naves,Cleyton Batista De Alvarenga

doi:10.1590/0034-737x201966020007

Abstract

ABSTRACT Stenoma catenifer is considered the main pest of avocado, making impossible to commercialize the infested fruits. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the potential of Heterorhabditis amazonensis MC01 in the field control of avocado borer, as well as the nematode release method. Two treatments were tested, namely: release of dead Tenebrio molitor infected with the nematode and hydraulic nematode spraying; hydraulic application of chemical insecticides was used as a control. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with 15 replicates. The concentration of suspension distribution was 5,500 infective juveniles per m2. At the experimental area traps with sex pheromone were installed to capture adult males. The number of borer fruits was evaluated in the two central plants of each plot, sampling 4 fruits per plant. There was a reduction in the percentage of borer fruits from 15 days of application for all control methods. After the release of nematodes, the adult population was similar to the control, and it can be inferred that, even without chemical control, there was no increase in the number of adults. Thus, H. amazonensis was considered promising under field conditions, reducing the populations of S. catenifer, in all release methods.

Highlights

In Brazil, avocado is grown in almost all states due to the favorable edaphoclimatic characteristics that provide conditions for production throughout the year
The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of different methods of distribution of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis amazonensis Andaló, Nguyen e Moino Junior, strain MC01, in the control of S. catenifer pupae under field conditions, as well as to adapt the technology for the application of these organisms, in order to use them in a pest management plan
Control of Stenoma catenifer with entomopathogenic nematodes in the field In relation to the viability of entomopathogenic nematodes applied by sprayer in the experimental area, it was verified that there was a reduction in the viability of the infective juveniles and a reduction in the mortality of T. molitor between the time of preparation of the syrup and the beginning of the application

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, avocado is grown in almost all states due to the favorable edaphoclimatic characteristics that provide conditions for production throughout the year. Brazilian production is mainly distributed in the Southeast region, and the state of São Paulo is the largest producer. Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae), is considered the main pest of avocado plantations, causing serious economic damage to the crop and, in many cases, leading to the abandonment of the production areas. Its presence leads to the reduction in production and makes the marketing of infested fruits unfeasible. Hatched caterpillars pierce the fruit epidermis by initially feeding on the pulp and forming galleries in the interior, and may subsequently reach the seed, depreciating the commercial value of the product (Hohmann et al, 2000; Nava et al, 2005a)

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