Compatibility and vectoring of Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) by entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling soil-dwelling stages of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract: The strain EAMa 01/58-Su of the EPF Metarhizium brunneum (Petch.) was
simultaneously applied with the EPN Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar) and Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser to study their compatibility, but especially the ability of the nematodes to transport the EPF conidia. Both groups of agents showed an additive effect against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae, with high mortalities ranging from 90-100 %, and the fungus decreased the emergence of adults from pupae. However, the nematodes showed no activity against this stage. Also, the transport of M. brunneum conidia by both nematode species triggered the infectious process of the fungus in S. littoralis pupae. In conclusion, the combination of EPF with EPN enhances both control agents’ efficiency and improves the strategies to control edaphic stages of insect pests by nematovectoring phenomenon.