Field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling fall webworm Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in West Georgia

Abstract: The present work deals with results of application of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Steinernema (S. carpocapsae, S. thesami and Steinernema sp.) against the harmful pest of the forest and agricultural crops Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) distributed in Georgia. Field experiments were carried out in August of 2012 on private plots of Guria region of the West Georgia in hazelnut plantations diseased with pest’s larvae. A high percentage of mortality ranging from 93.6% to 98.3% was observed in all experiments as a result of entomopathogenic nematode application. Among the species used, the efficiency of a new Steinernema species was specially noticed. High efficiency of the treatment was also promoted by optimum climatic conditions (Temperature = 28 °C and hygrometry = 99%).