Effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes in the control of chestnut carpophagous Lepidoptera

Abstract: In 2010-2011, a monitoring and some experimental trials were carried out in productive chestnut groves, with the aim of describing the flight of the different moth species (Cydia fagiglandana, Cydia splendana and Pammene fasciana) and verifying the ability of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema carpocapsae to parasitize the juveniles and control the moth infestations. The results showed that the EPNs are highly effective biocontrol agents when applied against a susceptible host, with temperature ≥ 12 °C and high humidity in the substrate. At these conditions, the chestnut grove has proved to be a natural environment suitable for effective and practicable pest biocontrol, where the EPNs can be applied by common grower facilities.