Ec. Williams et Kfa. Walters, Foliar application of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae against leafminers on vegetables, BIO SCI TEC, 10(1), 2000, pp. 61-70
Data from a comparative study of the efficacy of Steinernema feltiae for th
e control of three species of leafminer formed the basis of an application
schedule which successfully suppressed an outbreak of the statutory leafmin
er pest, Liriomyza huidobrensis. All three instars of Liriomyza bryoniae an
d L. huidobrensis were similarly susceptible to S. feltiae at 20 degrees C
and > 90% relative humidity (RH). Although all larval instars of Chromatomy
ia syngenesiae were susceptible to S. feltiae, mortality was lower than for
L. bryoniae. Repeat applications of S. feltiae to L. bryoniae and C. synge
nesiae indicated that a nematode treatment to the second/early third instar
larvae was more effective than applying higher rates of nematodes when hum
idities were less than 90% RH. In a trial on lettuce at a commercial glassh
ouse a mean L. huidobrensis mortality of 82 +/- 5% was recorded after art S
. feltiae application, significantly higher than the chemical treatment, he
ptenophos.