Evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes against Capnodis tenebrionis L. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) larvae in apricot orchards

Abstract

Capnodis tenebrionis L. is an important pest of stone fruit trees. The larval stage of the pest causes serious damage to apricot saplings and trees in Malatya regions of Turkey. Chemical control of C. tenebrionis larvae is not practical and effective in these orchards. Therefore, it is necessary to improve biological control methods against this pest. In this study, the effects of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae against the larval stage of C. tenebrionis were evaluated under semi-field conditions. Saplings of apricot 'Hacihalioglu' grafted on wild apricot rootstock were planted into pots and kept in greenhouse (semi-controlled environment). Sapling pots were inoculated with 50 first-instar C. tenebrionis larvae. Three different concentrations of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae (10(4), 10(5) and 10(6) spores cm-2) and S. carpocapsae (25, 50 and 100 infective juveniles cm-2) were applied to the pots. All tested entomopathogens decreased the extent of C. tenebrionis larval penetration. B. bassiana at 106 spores cm-2 was the most effective application, exhibiting no larval penetration.