Abstract
The susceptibility of larvae of the leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae) to different concentrations of an autochthonous strain of Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) was examined in laboratory experiments using Petri dishes. The efficacy of this strain in pots and field experiments was also evaluated. High mortality (80%–100%) of leek moth larvae was observed when these larvae were exposed to low concentrations (3 × 103 to 1 × 104 IJs/m2) of S. feltiae under laboratory conditions. Foliar application of 30,000 IJs/leek in pot experiments caused a 98% reduction in leek moth larvae. Field experiments showed a 87.7% reduction of leek moth larvae with the nematode treatment, significantly higher than the 22% reduction with the Bacillus thuringiensis treatment. The efficacy of the treatments with S. feltiae in relation to the microhabitat of the leek moth larvae between the interfolded leaves of the leek is discussed.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Ricard Sorribes of the Plant Protection Service of the Agricultural Department of the Catalan Government for his technical support in the field experiments and we also thank Mark Burch for the English correction of the manuscript.
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García del Pino, F., Morton, A. Efficacy of Steinernema feltiae against the leek moth Acrolepiopsis assectella in laboratory and field conditions. BioControl 53, 643–650 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-007-9106-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-007-9106-0