Abstract
The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important pest of potato that causes yield losses in potato producing countries all over the world. Many management methods are available for reducing this pest populations. Chemical control methods are at the top of these. However, Entomopathogenic nematode (EPNs), can be used as a potential alternative to chemical insecticides to control potato tuber moth larvae as an eco-friendly management method. We aimed in this study to examine the efficacy of Turkish isolates of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (TOK-20) against the last instar larvae (fourth stage) of the potato tuber moth under laboratory conditions. Experiments were conducted in 150 milliliter plastic cups with sterile soil mixture. Four nematode concentrations (0, 250, 500 and 1000 IJs) were applied directly to the soil. Potato tuber moth was susceptible to different concentrations of the H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) isolate. All doses were more effective than the control (water). The most effective was the 1000 IJs concentratio, providing a high mortality rate of the last instar larvae of potato tuber moth. No statistically significant difference was observed among temperatures. These results indicated that this H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) isolate is very efficient and could be used against potato tuber moth in biological control programs.
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