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Title: EFFICACY OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODE STEINERNEMA RIOBRAVE AGAINST THE STORED PRODUCT INSECT PESTS TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM AND PLODIA INTERPUNCTELLA

Author
item RAMOS-RODRIGUEZ, OLGALY - KANSAS STATE UNIV
item Campbell, James - Jim
item RAMASWAMY, SONNY - KANSAS STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2006
Publication Date: 1/15/2007
Citation: Ramos-Rodriguez, O., Campbell, J.F., Ramaswamy, S.B. 2007. Efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema riobrave against the stored product insect pests Tribolium castaneum and Plodia interpunctella. Biological Control 40: 15-21.

Interpretive Summary: Insects that attack stored grain and grain-based products can cause severe damage and economic loss. Insects moving from hidden refugia into stored products can lead to infestation. Biological control may be a viable alternative to chemical pesticides when targeted against stored-product insects in refugia. Entomopathogenic nematodes have not been previously tested as biological control agents of stored-product insects in environments such as empty grain bins or food processing and warehouse facilities, but their effectiveness at finding and infecting hosts in other situations has been demonstrated. In laboratory experiments, the nematode Steinernema riobrave was found to be effective (69-82% mortality) against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, at a range of different temperatures and relative humidities associated with grain handling and processing facilities. Field trials simulating empty grain bin treatments were conducted using red flour beetle and the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella. Pest mortality in this trial ranged from 37 (T. castaneum adults) to >99% (P. interpunctella larvae) and was similar to that observed in laboratory experiments. Steinernema riobrave shows promise as a biological control agent for stored-product insects, particularly Indianmeal moth, but further studies looking at combinations of treatments may further enhance efficacy.

Technical Abstract: Insects that attack stored grain and grain-based products can cause severe damage and economic loss. Persistence of insects in hidden refugia and infestation resulting from insects moving from refugia into products contributes to their pest status. Entomopathogenic nematodes have not been previously tested as biological control agents of stored-product insects in environments such as empty grain bins or food processing and warehouse facilities, but their effectiveness at finding and infecting hosts in other cryptic habitats has been demonstrated. In laboratory bioassays, Steinernema riobrave was found to be effective (69-82% mortality) against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, at a range of different temperatures and relative humidities associated with grain handling and processing facilities. Field trials simulating empty grain bin treatments were conducted using red flour beetle and the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella. Pathogenicity in this trial ranged from 37 (T. castaneum adults) to >99% (P. interpunctella larvae) host mortality and was similar to that observed in laboratory experiments. Steinernema riobrave shows promise as a biological control agent for stored-product insects, particularly Indianmeal moth, but further studies looking at combinations of treatments may further enhance efficacy.