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THE POTENTIAL OF HETERORHABDITID NEMATODES AS CONTROL AGENTS OF ROOT WEEVILS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

T.A. Rutherford
Affiliation:
Centre for Pest Management, Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
D. Trotter
Affiliation:
Centre for Pest Management, Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
J.M. Webster
Affiliation:
Centre for Pest Management, Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6

Abstract

Greenhouse and field trials were done to determine the potential of Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks and Hirschmann) Poinar (NC19 strain), an undescribed Heterorhabditis sp. (NC447 strain), and Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (A32−6 strain) to control British Columbia populations of black vine weevil (Otiorhyncus sulcatus Fab.) and strawberry root weevil (O. ovatus L.). An outdoor application of H. heliothidis applied at rates of 500 and 5000 nematodes per litre of soil gave significantly better control of black vine weevil larvae on potted, lodgepole pine trees (Pinus contorta Dougl.) than did a diazinon drench. Under greenhouse conditions Heterorhabditis sp. NC447 was the most effective nematode of the three tested against O. ovatus on potted, Douglas-fir seedlings (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and S. feltiae the least effective, at all dose rates tested. A field trial using H. heliothidis against O. ovatus in a forest nursery did not provide a significant degree of weevil control. This lack of control is attributed to the average outdoor temperature (11 °C) during the treatment period, which was below the nematode’s optimum temperature range, and the higher-than-average rainfall.

Résumé

On a effectué des tests en serre et en laboratoire afin de déterminer le potentiel de Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks et Hirschmann) Poinar (souche N19), une Heterorhabditis sp. non décrite (souche NC447), et Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (souche A32−6) pour le contrôle des populations de la Colombie-Britannique du charançon noir de la vigne (Otiorhynchus sulcatus Fab.) et du charançon de la racine du fraisier (O. ovatus L.). Un traitement à l’extérieur avec H. heliothidis à raison de 500 et 5000 nématodes par litre de sol a permis un contrôle significativement plus efficace des larves du charançon noir de la vigne sur des pins (Pinus contorta Dougl.) en pots, qu’un arrosage au diazinon. En serre, Heterorhabditus sp. NC447 s’est avéré la plus efficace des trois espèces testées contre O. ovatus sur pousses de Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, alors que S. feltiae était la moins efficace, à toutes les doses testées. Un test sur le terrain avec H. heliothidis contre O. ovatus dans une pépinière n’a pas permis de réprimer les charançons de façon détectable. On a attribué cet échec à la température extérieure durant le traitement (11 °C), qui était hors des limites optimales pour le nématode, ainsi qu’à des précipitations supérieures à la moyenne.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1987

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