Efficiency of local isolate of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions

Nabil Abo Kaf (1) Ghadah Zeini*(2)  Mazen Al- Body(2) and Majeda Mofleh(3)

(1). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Agriculture Research Center in Lattakia, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(3). (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Ghadah Zeini. E-Mail: ghadahasanzeini@tishreen.edu.sy).

Received: 4/10/2021                             Accepted: 7/03/2022

Abstract: 

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann is among the most important pests of cultivated fruits. Utilization of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) is one emerging option for controlling this pest since the larvae come out from the fruit for pupation in the soil at depth of few centimeters .The present study aimed to estimate the efficiency of local isolate, H. bacteriophora GA1(MK474645.1) against the third instar larvae (L3) and pupae of medfly at ten different concentrations of (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000) Infective Juveniles (IJs)/ mL and 500, 1000, 2000 (IJs)/ mL under laboratory conditions. Controls were treated with 1 mL of distilled water. The bioassays were organized in petri dishes with five replications. The results showed that the third-instar C. capitata larvae were susceptible to the tested local isolate. The overall mortality ranged from 16.66 to 69.77%. Mortality of the third-instar larvae of C. capitata proportionally increased with increased nematode concentration. The highest larvae mortality rates (69.77) and (65.33) %. were obtained at concentrations D10 and D9 respectively, and no significant differences between these two treatments. The highest mortality rates of pupae were (51.61) and (39.72)% at dosage of 2000 (IJs)/ mL. Young pupae (1-3 day old) were more susceptible to the nematode than older pupae (4-8 day old).

Keywords: Biological control, Ceratitis capitata, efficiency, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Lattakia, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf