Vol. 10, Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
DB Ingole, DP Kashyap, Supriya Koosari, Soumya S Dash, NV Lavhe and VJ Tambe

Abstract:
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema bicornatum are obligate and lethal insect parasites. In last decade they were widely used as biological control agents for pest insects of commercial crops, therefore research in this area is directly linked to agriculture. In this study, the pathogenicity of nematode species (Steinernema bicornatum) was tested against red cotton bug. The pathogenicity of these isolates was evaluated on the red cotton bug (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) at concentrations (50 IJs/100 μl per nymph) in the laboratory at room temperature. Maximum mortality rate (95%) was achieved from the Steinernema bicornatum isolate at the lowest concentration after 48 h of post inoculation. While these isolates showed high pathogenicity on G. mellonella last instar ranging from 63 to 100% at the concentration of 50 IJs/100 μl, 48 h post-inoculation. After 3 days of nymphal mortality, population recovery from treated red cotton bug nymph was upto 22 IJs/100μl Steinernema bicornatum suspension, whereas population count was obtained around 150-200 IJs/100μl from laboratory host Galleria mellonella. The results showed that recovery of nematode population very low in red cotton bug as compare to Greater wax moth.