Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Strains against Bradysia mabiusi (Diptera: Sciaridae), Pest in Greenhouse.

Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genus Heterorhabditis and Steinernema have been use against the fungus gnat in several countries. This study aimed to evaluate different strains of EPNs (10, 25 and 50 IJ/cm2) against larva of Bradysia mabiusi held inside pots containing substrate. A last experiment was done to evaluate the virulence of Heterorhabditis indica against larva of B. mabiusi under spontaneous infestation of the insect. At the screening of EPNs, the nematode H. indica showed better performance compared to the other nematodes, providing up to 98% mortality of the insect. For the spontaneous insect infestation, H. indica provided reduction of the insect population from 50% to 70% at doses of 10 to 50 IJ/cm2.