Potential of controlling insect pests of corn using entomopathogenic nematodes

Abstract

A series of experiments was performed in the laboratory and in the greenhouse to assess the efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema glaseri or S. feltiae in decreasing the numbers of European corn borer, fall armyworm, western corn rootworm and the seedcorn maggot in corn. Both nematode species effectively controlled the four insect pest species. During greenhouse experiments, the number of plants protected with entomopathogenic nematodes against these insect pests was significantly higher than in the untreated controls. Similar results were obtained in a microplot study of corn infected with the European corn borer, the western corn rootworm and the seedcorn maggot. The application of a single nematode species against several insect pests has economic advantages. In addition, both S. glaseri and S. feltiae overwintered and survived in the field until the next growing season. Key words: Entomopathogenic nematodes, sweet corn, European corn borer, fall armyworm, seedcorn maggot, western corn rootworm