Competitive interaction between the braconid parasitoid, Meteorus rubens Nees and the entomogenous nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) on larvae of Agrotis ipsilon Hufn. (Lep., Noctuidae)

Abstract

Exposing A. ipsilon larvae to S. carpocapsae nematode after 24 h of parasitism by M. rubens resulted in preventing the emergence of M. rubens from host larvae, especially at concentrations of 15 Infective Juvenile Stage (IJS) and more. The effect of S. carpocapsae decreased when exposure was delayed to 7 and 12 days after parasitism by M. rubens. The survival of A. ipsilon larvae was shorter when exposure to IJS was delayed from 24 h to 7 and 12 days.