Biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against nut and orchard pests

Summary in the original language of the document

Semi-field and field experiments were carried out to evaluate the biological control potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against grubs in hazelnut, chestnut and cherry orchards. Mortality of hazelnut weevils in interred containers treated with 2.2x106 infective juveniles (IJ) m-2 of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was 75.4%. H. indica caused 65.2% and S. feltiae 43.3% pest mortality, but numbers were not significantly different from the untreated control (33.4%). Mortality of the chestnut weevil was slightly increased in S. carpocapsae (2x106 IJ m-2) treated containers (44.6%) compared to untreated control containers (39.2%), but differences were either not significant. Soil applications against the European cherry fruit fly did not lead to any pest control effect and we suggest that there is little potential for EPNs to control this key insect pest of sweet cherries.