VIRULENCE OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES TO THREE SOFT SCALE INSECT SPECIES

Virulence of commercial strains entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser), feltiae Filipjev and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae), were tested on young females Pulvinaria hydrangeae Steinweden, Partenolecanium corni (Bouché) Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) a native strain H. was citricola scale, C. pseudomagnoliarum. The laboratory tests carried out in small plastic Petri dishes with infective juveniles (IJ) applied filter paper covering the bottom. Results showed that all EPN virulent to three soft scale insect species. Recorded mortality insects at highest concentration approximately 50 IJ per cm2 exceeded 64% combinations species tested. Within same concentration, scales’ 90% above recorded for P. species, S. (Nemastar) strain. All good hosts This is first report EPNs parasitize one few among Coccoidea. level parasitism promising potential use management insects.