Potential of in vivo- and in vitro-cultured entomopathogenic nematodes to infect Lobesia vanillana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) under laboratory conditions

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been successfully applied as biological control agents against above ground and soil stages of insect pests. However, for commercial application, it is crucial to mass culture these using in vitro liquid technology, not attainable when susceptible insects hosts. Lobesia vanillana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) regarded a sporadic pest wine grapes South Africa. The vivo- -cultured African EPNs, Steinernema yirgalemense jeffreyense (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), were evaluated larvae pupae L . laboratory bioassays. For larvae, high mortality was observed all treatments: In S (98%) performed better than (73%), while within vivo cultures, there no difference between nematode species (both 83%). No significant detected cultures the same species. LD 50 , 7.33 per larva. Mortality by infection established dissecting cadavers confirming presence nematodes, which > 90% treatments. Within both able produce new cohort infective juveniles from larvae. Pupae, however, found be considerably less EPN infection. This first study on use EPNs relative success assays, without any loss pathogenicity, encouraging further research development this technology.