Efficiency of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida) against Saccharococcus sacchari (Cockerell) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) under laboratory conditions

The objective of this study was to study the efficacy of four indigenous and one exotic isolated entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against sugarcane mealybug Saccharococcus sacchari under laboratory conditions (27 ± 2 °C, RH 65 ± 10%). The EPNs used in the study are Steinernema sp. (strain: AT4), Steinernema sp. (strain: EMB), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (strain: EKB20), Heterorhabditis sp. (strain: EIK) and Steinernema glasri (strain: New Jersey). The bioassays were carried out on Petri dishes containing parts of pumpkin infested with adult females of S. sacchari, and were sprayed with EPN juveniles. Results showed that H. bacteriophora strain (EKB20) and Heterorhabditis sp (EIK) were more efficient with higher pathogenicity and virulence in the laboratory than the other strains and gave the highest corrected mortality percentage in the infestation (from 68.59% to 70.83%). The LC50 were 25.42 and 45.5 IJs/ insect for the two strains, respectively.