Abstract
ABSTRACT Biological control using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) is known as an ecofriendly strategy in integrated pest management. The terrestrial slug Parmacella ibera is a major pest of vegetables and citrus trees in north of Iran. The heavy costs and environmental concerns of synthetic molluscicides led the study to use EPNs, against the slug P. ibera. The present study was arranged to evaluate and compare the performance of EPNs, Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora on P. ibera population (mortality rate) and the feeding rate in vitro, and also its damage (seedlings establishment rate) in vitro. Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, as a slug parasite nematode, and also the metaldehyde, as a molluscicide, were used as positive controls. The results of the study showed that the highest mortality rate (%) and the seedlings establishment rate (%) of the slug population were observed in S. carpocapsae, S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora treatments, respectively. The feeding rate (%) of the slug declined in the treatments with H. bacteriophora, S. feltiae and S. carpocapsae, respectively. The mortality rate of the pest was enhanced by extending the exposure time and increasing levels of the nematodes. Therefore, it can be concluded that the EPNs S. carpocapsae, S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora are able to control the slug P. ibera population.
Highlights
Terrestrial slugs have caused considerable economic losses on a variety of crops in vast lands, greenhouses and domestic gardens
The results of the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) assay showed that the mortality rate of P. ibera population under EPNs, S. feltiae, S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora treatments was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control at dose levels and exposure times
The highest dead population (%) of the slug was observed in metaldehyde, P. hermaphrodita, S. carpocapsae, S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora treatments, respectively
Summary
Terrestrial slugs have caused considerable economic losses on a variety of crops in vast lands, greenhouses and domestic gardens. They are significantly found in wet weather conditions (Wilson and Barker 2011; Watts 2012). In terms of population and damage rate, this pest is a dominant species of slugs in the northern regions of the country (Yakhchali et al 2013). In these areas, the highest slug damage has been observed on herbaceous plants from vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, spinach and beans, as well as citrus trees (Wilson and Barker 2010). Biological products are safe for natural environments; in addition, biological control agents are readily reproducible in industrial and laboratory conditions and can be marketed (Damalas and Koutroubas 2018)
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