Agrotis ipsilon)Hufnagel(Lep.Noctuidae در كنترل آفت طوقه خوار سياه Heterorhabditis bacteriophora بررسي كارآيي نماتد بيمارگر حشرات

Investigation on the Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Against Black Cutworm

Entomopathogenic nematodes of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are obligate parasites on a wide range of insects which have been used in biological control of insects. In recent years satisfactory results have been obtained from the nematodes of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. The use of nematodes for monitoring soil- inhabiting insect pest populations seems promising because these natural habitats provide the nematodes a protection against environmental extremities of temperature, humidity and ultraviolet radiation.The black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, is regarded as a pest of economic importance of field crops in West Azarbaijan, Iran. To evaluate the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes as potential control agents against this insect pest, field and laboratory experiments conducted in randomized complete blocks with four replications in 1996 and 1997. H. bacteriophora was applied at concentrations of 0, 1x 10^5, 2x 10^5, 410^5 and 8x 10^5 individuals per m^2. The results indicated that , H . bacteriophora at the rates of 4x 10^5 and 8 x 10^5 individuals per m- was able to parasitize 76.57% and 75.22% of the pest larvae, respectively. The difference was significant at p-1.% in comparison to the 1x10^5 individuals/m2 treatment.