Persistence of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae on red palm weevil-infested date palm trees in an arid environment

Abstract

The persistence of the entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Steinernema carpocapsae, was evaluated following application on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) trees infested with the red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in an arid environment. Live S. carpocapsae were detected in different sections of the tree trunk, including internal parts, in the soil, and from RPW cadavers. EPN third-stage infective juveniles were extracted from the palm stem tissue and soil up to 45 days and 180 days after application, respectively. Results support the high potential of commercial S. carpocapsae application as a useful biological control agent for R. ferrugineus in date palms in arid environments.