Abstract
BackgroundCeratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) (Mediterranean fruit fly), is one of the important polyphagous pest species in the world that harms almost all fruits causing significant yields losses. Control of this pest which is on the quarantine list of many countries is highly important. Due to the negative effects of chemical control on the environment and human health, biological control approaches have gained importance. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a potential biological control agent that can be used for effectively controlling the Medfly.ResultsIn this study, effects of four EPNs species on larvae, pupae and adults of Medfly were investigated under laboratory conditions. Four different concentrations of EPNs species were used against each stage of the pest. It pest showed different sensitivity to different concentrations of each of the tested EPNs. High mortality rate of 94% was caused by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (11 KG),, followed by H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) with 91%, Steinernema carpocapsae (85%) and S. feltiae (Tokat-Emir) with 71% at highest concentration (200 IJ/larvae. The highest effect on adult mortality (100%) was recorded by the species S. feltiae (Tokat-Emir) at the highest concentration (200 IJ/adult) in the trials, followed by H. bacteriophora (11 KG) with 92%, H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) with 91% and S. carpocapsae (Tokat-Bakışlı05) with 87.37% mortality rates at the same concentrations.ConclusionsIt was determined that the EPNs tested in this study had insecticidal properties and they might be used in biological control programs against the Medfly.
Highlights
Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) (Mediterranean fruit fly), is one of the important polyphagous pest species in the world that harms almost all fruits causing significant yields losses
Mortality rates of the last instar larvae of the medfly increased directly as the concentration increased in case of all Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) species (p < 0.001)
Virulence of EPN species at different concentrations against Ceratitis capitata last instar larvae It was observed that all the applications against the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) last instar larvae were quite effective than the controls
Summary
Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) (Mediterranean fruit fly), is one of the important polyphagous pest species in the world that harms almost all fruits causing significant yields losses. Control of this pest which is on the quarantine list of many countries is highly important. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are obligate insect pathogens found in soil that are used as biological agents They have a wide host range, able to kill their hosts with the help of their symbiotic bacteria within 24–48 h, easy to mass produce, able to actively search and find their hosts, can stay alive for a long time in the absence of hosts, and do not harm the environment and humans.
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