Virulence of native and commercial strains of entomopathogenic nematodes to Phtorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae)

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are amongst nematodes the most potent biological agents and the most important natural regulators of insect populations. In this work we present results of the laboratory test of virulence of commercial and native EPN strains to Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) larvae and pupae. The potato tuber moth larvae and pupae were obtained from laboratory potato culture. Bioassays were performed in Petri dishes on filter paper using EPNs in three different concentrations in laboratory conditions and repeated twice. Obtained results showed high virulence of all EPN strains against above all last larval stages. Work is in progress to prove the efficacy of EPNs against this potato pest in semifield conditions and test the ability of different EPN strains to reach and infect the potato moth larvae in the soil inside the tuber.