Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against Cydalima perspectalis and Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera), two invasive forest pests in Iran

Abstract

The box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis, and the fall webworm (FWW), Hyphantria cunea are two invasive forest pests in northern Iran. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are usually compatible with integrated pest management programs. In this study, the efficacy of five isolates of EPNs was evaluated against the two pests in laboratory and field conditions. LC₅₀ values of Steinernema carpocapsae (IRTabriz), S. feltiae (IRTabriz), S. feltiae (Entonem), Oscheius rugaoensis and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (IRTabriz) were as follow: 44.8, 66.5, 113.8, 190.7 and 515.9 infective juveniles (IJs) larva⁻¹ on the fifth instar larvae of BTM; and 75.2, 96.6, 131.0, 258.0 and 292.5 IJs larva⁻¹ on fifth instar larvae of FWW, respectively in the laboratory tests 48 h post-treatment at 25 °C and 60% relative humidity. Under field conditions, the foliar applications of S. carpocapsae (IRTabriz), S. feltiae (IRTabriz), and S. feltiae (Entonem) at the rate of 10⁶ IJs L⁻¹ resulted in 36–58% mortality after 48 h against BTM and 15–52% mortality against FWW, respectively. The results demonstrate that EPNs are promising candidates for biocontrol of BTW and FWW.

Keywords:

• Biocontrol
• Steinernema
• Heterorhabditis
• Hyrcanian regions
• forest pest

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization of Iran for accessing field trials. We also thank Dr. Naser Eivazian Kari (Shahid Madani University, East Azarbaijan province) supplying the three species of EPN nematodes and Dr. Ayatollah Saeedizadeh (Shahed University, Tehran province) for supplying Steinernema feltiae (Entonem). The kind help of Dr. Mohammad Reza Atighi for critically reading the manuscript is deeply appreciated.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.