Horticultural Crops Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
Pseudomonas Fluorescens Pf-5
Small Fruit Breeding
Foliar Pathology
Food Chemistry
Grape Research
 

Research Project: Development of Biologically-Based Strategies for Managing Insect Pests of Horticultural Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Research

Title: Susceptibility of the Strawberry Crown Moth Synanthedon bibionipennis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) to Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Authors

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 16, 2008
Publication Date: April 11, 2008
Citation: Bruck, D.J., Edwards, D.L., Donahue, K.M. 2008. Susceptibility of the strawberry crown moth Synanthedon bibionipennis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) to entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Economic Entomology. 101(2):251-255.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of the strawberry crown moth larvae to two species of insect-killing nematodes(Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora). Nematodes were evaluated in laboratory experiments and the field. Both nematodes were very effective at killing larvae in the laboratory experiments. Mortality was 96 and 94% for S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora, respectively. Larvae were extremely susceptible to nematode infection in the laboratory, even in the protected environment inside the strawberry crown. Field applications of nematodes in late fall (October) were less effective with S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora resulting in 51 and 33% infection, respectively. Soil temperature after nematode application was below ideal for both nematodes. Insect mortality was significantly greater in both nematode treatments than the control, but field applications were substantially less effective than the laboratory experiments. It is clear from laboratory experiments, that strawberry crown moth larvae are extremely susceptible to nematode infection. Improved control in the field is likely if nematode applications are made in late summer to early fall when larvae are present in the soil and soil temperatures are more favorable for nematode infection.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of the strawberry crown moth, Synanthedon bibionipennis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) larvae to two species of entomopathogenic nematodes(Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) Agriotos and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Steiner) Oswego). Nematodes were evaluated in laboratory soil bioassays and the field. Both nematode species were highly infective in the laboratory bioassays. Infectivity was 96 and 94% for S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora, respectively. Larvae were extremely susceptible to nematode infection in the laboratory, even in the protected environment inside the crown. Field applications in late fall (October) were less effective with S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora resulting in 51 and 33% infection, respectively. Soil temperature was below optimum for both nematode species for the majority of the post application period. Larval mortality was significantly greater in nematode treatments than the control, but nematode treatments were substantially less efficacious in the field than in the laboratory. It is clear from laboratory data, that strawberry crown moth larvae are extremely susceptible to nematode infection. Improved control in the field is likely if nematode applications are made in late summer to early fall when larvae are present in the soil and soil temperatures are more favorable for nematode infection.

   

 
Project Team
Bruck, Denny
Lee, Jana
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)
 
Related Projects
   Integrated Management Strategies & Biology of Bud Mites in Oregon and Washington Vineyards
   Attractant Development for Effective Adult Black Vine Weevil Management
   Trap Crop Management for Pest Management in Shade Tree Nurseries
   Weed and Insect Control in Cranberry Beds
 
 
Last Modified: 02/09/2010
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House