Steinernematid and Heterorhahditid Nematodes for Control of Larval European Chafers and Japanese Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Potted Yew

Authors

Robert J. Wright, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
M. G. Villani, Cornell University
F. Agudelo-Silva, Biosis, Palo Alto, CA.

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

February 1988

Comments

Published in Journal of Economic Entomology Volume 81, Issue 1 (February 1988), pp. 152 – 157. © 1988 Entomological Society of America. Used by permission.

Abstract

Four species of entomogenous nematodes [Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) [=Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser] ('All' strain), S. glaseri (Steiner), Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks & Hirschmann), and Heterorhabditis sp. ('Holland' strain)] were compared with two insecticides (chlorpyrifos and isofenphos) for control of third- (last-) instar larval Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) and European chafers [Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky)] in potted Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidate Siebold & Zuccarini). Efficacy was evaluated 17-21 d after treatment. Heterorhabditis sp. ('Holland' strain) at 92 nematodes per cm² of soil surface and H. heliothidis at 192 nematodes per cm² provided >90% control of Japanese beetles compared with 71% for chlorpyrifos (9.0 kg [AI]/ha) and 84% for isofenphos (4.5 kg [AI]/ha). S. glaseri provided 84 and S. feltiae 29% control (both at 385 nematodes per cm² ). Both nematodes and insecticides were less effective in controlling European chafer larvae. Control with nematodes ranged from 46 to 59% with S. glaseri, H. Heliothidis, and Heterorhabditis sp. at 385 nematodes per cm² , whereas S. feltiae at 385 nematodes per cm² did not significantly reduce larval survival compared with the untreated control. Chemical control of European chafer larvae resulted in reductions of 44 and 62% with isofenphos and chlorpyrifos, respectively.