Pathogenicity of native Strains of Entomopathogenic Nematodes against Aphids and Pseudostem Weevil

Abstract

The pathogenicity of three native strains of entomopathogenic nematodes isolated from different locations of Kerala were evaluated against aphids, Aphis craccivora Koch and 4th instar grubs of banana pseudostem weevil, Odoiporous longicollis Olivier under laboratory condition. Based on the morphological characters and morphometric measurements, they were identified as Steinernema sp., Metarhabditis sp. and Rhabditis sp. Metarhabditis sp. @ 100 IJs (infective juveniles) recorded 100% mortality of aphids at 48 HAT (hours after treatment) and it was statistically on par with dimethoate 30EC. Metarhabditis sp.@ 100 and 200 IJs/ insect showed 47.49 and 62.66% mortality of pseudostem weevil grubs at 72 HAT. Molecular characterization of the most potent isolate effective against both the pests was done and it was identified as Metarhabditis rainai.