On the efficiency of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) on rust red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Fatma Dolunay Erdoğuş

doi:10.1186/s41938-021-00461-y

Abstract

BackgroundThe rust red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a serious pest of stored grains and grain products across the world. This beetle is hold a significant place in Turkey by causing damages on stored products. T. castaneum primarily attacks milled grain and its derivates. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are regarded as extremely an important biological control agent. EPNs kills their hosts within 48 h by the bacteria they carry.ResultsEfficacies of 4 isolates of EPNs Steinernema carpocapsae (Tokat Bakisli 05), S. feltiae (Tokat-Emir), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (TOK-20) and H. bacteriophora (11-KG) against T. castaneum was investigated under laboratory conditions. The experiments were carried out thrice with 10 replicates at 2 different temperatures (15 and 25 ºC). EPNs isolates were tested at 3 different concentrations (250, 500 and 1000 IJs/ml) with a pure water as control. The overall mortality caused by H. bacteriophora (Kg11) was significantly higher than the other EPN species. At 25 ºC, H. bacteriophora (Kg11) at the highest concentration (1000 IJs/ml) caused 87.6% mortality after 120 h., followed by S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae with 79.22 and 75.3% mortality rates, respectively. The mortality percentages exhibited by all nematodes’ species at both temperatures were lowest at the concentration of (250 IJs/ml). At 15 °C, H. bacteriophora (Kg11) caused (55.2%) mortality rate at the highest concentration (1000 IJs / ml) after 120 h.ConclusionThe study suggested that these nematodes were efficient and could be recommended to control T. castaneum in its biological control programs.

Highlights

The rust red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a serious pest of stored grains and grain products across the world
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are an important biological control agent found in soil all over the world
This study aimed to evaluate the virulence of 4 EPNs’ isolates against T. castaneum under laboratory conditions

Summary

Introduction

The rust red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a serious pest of stored grains and grain products across the world. In many countries, EPNs are used in biological control programs of many economic insect pests They are a group of soil dwelling nematodes that parasitize insects pests. Use of these nematodes is economical and eco-friendly, since they are harmless to non-target organisms, human health and the environment (Gulcu et al 2017). These organisms infect insects in soil through natural openings or thin parts of the cuticle and release their symbiont bacteria in insect hemolymph. Death occurs within 16–24 h due to the bacteria reproducing in the insect’s body (Kepenekci 2012)

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