Biocontrol potential of naturally occurring entomopathogens against Maladera formosae in corn–soybean rotated systems

Abstract

The Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera formosae, emerged as a significant early season pest of field corn in the Great Lakes region beginning in the mid-2000s. Management tools used broadly for annual white grub species, like seed- and soil-applied insecticides, are ineffective against or have not been evaluated specifically for M. formosae. Biological control, including entomopathogenic nematodes, is successful against M. formosae in turf systems. The goals of this study were to (i) isolate and identify nematode species from agricultural fields in northern Ohio with field histories of M. formosae, and (ii) evaluate their ability to infect M. formosae grubs in greenhouse and field trials.