Sustainable control of black vine weevil larvae, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) with Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in strawberry

Abstract

Efficacy, persistence and recovery of the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was tested in the laboratory after application of the nematode to strawberry roots by dipping. To mitigate nematode sedimentation and improve attachment to strawberry roots, carboxy-methyl-cellulose was added to the nematode solution. Mortality of black vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus varied between 90 and 96% in the pot trials.

Keywords:

• persistence
• mortality
• Otiorhynchus sulcatus
• Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
• strawberry
• dipping method

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to e-nema GmbH for a scholarship to the first author. We thank Johanna Schmidt, Doris Ziermann, Michael Wingen, Helga Ladehoff, Xiaoli Yi and Nicola Benecke for technical support. We are also thankful to Dr Arne Peters from e-nema GmbH in Germany for reviewing the manuscript and for his suggestions.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alper Susurluk†

†Current address: Plant Protection Department, Agriculture Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle-Bursa, Turkey