The susceptibility of mulberry moth to infection by entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae

Abstract: The mulberry moth, Glyphodes pyloalis, is considered as an urban pest and therefore the application of environmentally safe means for mulberry trees protection is recommended. Among the entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae are important as a biological control agents. The susceptibility of G. pyloalis to infection by H. bacteriophora and S. carpocapsae infective juveniles (IJ) was tested under laboratory conditions. Individuals of IV instar larvae were collected from mulberry trees in Georgia, Tbilisi (village Digomi). Nematode suspensions at a concentration of 1500 IJs/ml were used for treatment of mulberry leaves. After 72 h, the mortality of G. pyloalis caused by H. bacteriophora was 54%, whereas S. carpocapsae caused 76% mortality. The results suggest that nematode suspensions of H. bacteriophora and S. carpocapsae can be used to control G. pyloalis in urban plots.