EFFICACY OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES AND FUNGI FOR CONTROLLING THE TOMATO LEAF MINER, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae)

Abstract

Susceptibility of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta ab-soluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae) larvae, pupae and adults to entomopathogenic nematode, Steirnernema carpocapsae and two fungal species; Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizi-um anisopliae was investigated under laboratory conditions. Applied concentrations against the last instar larvae and different ages of the pupae, using leaf and soil treatments, were 250, 500,1000 IJs/ml for the nematode and 10 8 , 10 9 ,10 10 spores/ml for the fungi. Soil applications of the nematode and fungi resulted to high mortality (100, 100 and 93.3%) of4 th instar larvae while low pupal mortality (46.7,30and 23.3%),respectively. In leaf treatment a high level of larval mortality (93.3, 90 and 80%) was recorded revealing S. carpocapsae, B. bassi-ana and M. anisopliae, respectively. The present study also showed also susceptibility of Tuta ab-soluta adults to the three pathoens. The results demonstrated suitability of entomopathogenic nematode and fungi for controlling T. absoluta.