Entomopathogenic nematodes as potential biocontrol agents against Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

ABSTRACT

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the most serious and economically damaging insects worldwide, affecting the quality and quantity of both olive oil and table olives. Third instar larvae and pupae of several Tephritidae flies were reported to be susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), but few studies have been carried out on the olive fruit fly. Laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of B. oleae larvae and pupae to two commercial EPN species, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and two indigenous Italian strains of H. bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae. Moreover, an olive assay in the soil was performed to evaluate the capability of EPN strains to enter inside the olive fruits and interact with B. oleae during the pupal stage or the emergence of adults in the winter diapause. The susceptibility assays with B. oleae were performed in well plates, filled with sterile soil (n = 30 for each EPN strain and insect stage). Adult emergence and mortality were recorded daily for 15 days. Dead pupae and adults were dissected to assess nematode infection. The most noteworthy result was obtained with S. feltiae which was able to infect more than 80% of larvae and it killed the pupae inside olive fruits and the adults during their emergence with the same efficacy. Since this Tephritidae fly spends several months in the soil, the use of EPNs, in particular, S. feltiae may represent a promising method to control this pest.

KEYWORDS:

• Heterorhabditis spp
• laboratory assay
• olive fruits
• Steinernema spp
• Tephritidae flies

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Biogard division of CBC Europe s.r.l. for providing commercial products. We also wish to thank Kathleen Collins Tostanoski for the English revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was carried out in the context of the Project DI.OL. (DIfesa da organismi nocivi in OLivicoltura tradizionale e intensiva) funded by Mipaaft (Ministero delle politiche agricole alimentari, forestali e del turismo).