Potential of Moroccan entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Fouad Mokrini,Timothy Paulitz,Rachid Lahlali,Abdelfattah A Dababat,Mohamed Sbaghi,Hicham Lakhal,Youssef Benseddik,Abdelmalek Boutaleb Joutei,Salah-Eddine Laasli,Mustafa Imren,Göksel Özer,Abdelali Blenzar

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-76170-7

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, is a deleterious pest worldwide affecting fruit production. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a potential biocontrol agent that could be effectively used to control this Mediterranean fruit fly. In this study, five EPN strains reported from different fields in Morocco were evaluated for their efficacy against C. capitata. In laboratory assays, Steinernema feltiae-SF-MOR9, S. feltiae-SF-MOR10 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora-HB-MOR7 strains showed significantly higher infectivity and penetration rates when compared to the other strains. S. feltiae-SF-MOR9 caused the highest larval mortality rate (80%) at 50 infective juveniles (IJs) cm−2. However, additional results showed that both S. feltiae strains were significantly effective in controlling C. capitata larvae in apricot (Prunus armeniaca) fruits on soil surface with high mortality rate at 50 and 100 IJs cm−2. Different soil textures and moisture levels resulted in a significant variation in EPN strain virulence against C. capitata. Sandy clay loam soil in combination with 50 IJs cm−2 of S. feltiae (SF-MOR9 or SF-MOR10) caused a higher mortality rate of C. capitata larvae. Furthermore, applying these EPN strains at 50–100 IJs cm−2 in combination with 10–15% moisture level showed optimal results against C. capitata larvae. Therefore, those two Moroccan EPN strains could be used as promising eco-friendly biological agents against C. capitata.

Highlights

Agricultural Research Service, Wheat Health, Genetics and Quality Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164‐6430, USA. 8International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), P.K. 39, Emek, Scientific Reports | (2020) 10:19204
The pathogenicity of five native entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) strains collected from Morocco was investigated against C. capitata, a serious threat for the Moroccan fruit production
Our results indicated that the third-instar larvae of C. capitata are moderately to highly susceptible to 5 EPN strains

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural Research Service, Wheat Health, Genetics and Quality Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164‐6430, USA. 8International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), P.K. 39, Emek, Scientific Reports | (2020) 10:19204. Insecticide applications have been extensively used to control M edfly[6,7] Their potential adverse effects including the toxicity to non-target organisms, insect resistance to insecticides, environmental pollution and residues on food demand the investigation of alternative biological control m easures[8]. In this context, the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema (Panagrolaimomorpha: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis (Rhabditomorpha: Heterorhabditidae) are successfully used to control a great variety of soil-borne insect pests around the world[9,10,11]. The main objective of this study was to select the most effective EPN strains to control C. capitata pest in Morocco under different soil types and soil moisture contents

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion