Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes for the Control of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The virulence of various entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) strains was evaluated against the Mediterranean fruit fly, C. capitata . The selected nematodes were assessed for their infectivity for the final larval stage of the insect host and under varying environmental conditions. Among 12 EPN strains tested, Steinernema riobrave Texas ( Sr TX) and Heterorhabditis sp. IS-5 (H IS-5), showed high activity and induced >80% mortality. Six EPN strains showed limited activity (>30% mortality), and four strains had no effect (<20% mortality). Sr TX was more effective than H IS-5. Mature C. capitata larvae were most susceptible to nematode infection during the first 4h after they began to emerge from their diet to pupate. Activity of the two nematode strains at a constant inoculation rate was dependent on insect larval density. The highest activity was recorded at 1.88 larvae cm -2 and decreased at higher larval densities. EPN activity was also directly related to nematode density. Maximal activity was shown at a de...