Eurhizococcus colombianus Jakubski (1965) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae): Evaluation of its biological control using a mixture of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae)

Abstract

Objectives: To isolate native entomopathogenic nematodes (NEP) and evaluate the pathogenicity of the mixture of Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis sp. on Eurhizococcus colombianus under laboratory conditions. Scope: The mixture of native entomopathogenic nematodes of the Steinernema and Heterorhabditis genera efficiently control E. colombianus. Methodology: Native NEPs were isolated using Galleria mellonella larvae as a trap insect, both nematodes were mixed and their pathogenicity was evaluated on the development stages of E. colombianus. Results: Native NEPs of the Steinernema and Heterorhabditis genera were isolated and mixed. Twenty-four h after the E. colombianus infestation on females, mortality of 95% was presented at the dose of 100 JI / 25μl, while at 192 h mortality was 100% in the doses of 10 and 100 JI / 25μl. When NEPs were applied to E. colombianus cysts in doses of 10, 100 and 1000 JI / 25 μl, their rupture was 43%, 21% and 24%, respectively. Conclusions: The mixture of the isolated NEPs efficiently control the development stages of E. colombianus at the doses evaluated.