Field trials were conducted to determine efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in suppressing two important orchard pests. For suppression of the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), Steinernema carpocapsae was applied to soil around pecan tree trunks using varying rates of application and irrigation. Up to 80% adult weevil mortality was observed in the nematode-treated plots within the first two days post-application, but the mortality returned to pretreatment levels within seven days post-application. Future research must focus on developing nematode strains with higher virulence and persistence. For suppression of the plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), nematodes were applied to plots in peach orchards (Byron, GA and Quincy, FL) containing C. nenuphar larvae. In the first year, adult emergence was reduced more than 90% in S. riobrave treated plots at both locations. The level of control was considerably less in S. feltiae treated plots. Second year’s data will be presented.
Species 1: Coleoptera Curculionidae Curculio caryae (pecan weevil)
Species 2: Coleoptera Curculionidae Conotrachelus nenuphar (plum curculio)
Species 3: Rhabditida Steinernematidae Steinernema
Keywords: biological control, nematodes
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