Control of Some Date Palm Insect Pests by Using the Entomopathogenic Nematodes under Aswan Region Conditions, Egypt

Date palms were applied under Aswan field condition in the fruiting season of 2017 with the two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against palm scarab beetles Phyllognathus excavates, the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and the frond palm borer Phonapate frontalis (Coleoptera ) as well as the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula , date moth Ephestia calidella and the pomegranate butterfly Viracola livia (Lepidoptera). Reduction in the infestation with Phyllognathus excavates caused by S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora at the concentration of 4000 IJs/ml after eight weeks were100 and 70.0 %, respectively. It was clear that S. carpocapsae influence increased with the passing of the time in opposite to H. bacteriophora . As for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus reductions in the infestation caused by S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora at the concentration of 4000 IJs / ml after eight weeks were 91.0 and 34.2 %, respectively. It was also clear that S. carpocapsae influence increased gradually in the course of the investigation time in opposite to H. bacteriophora . The tested EPNs S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora reduced the infestation with Phonapate frontalis by 84.7 and 39.9%, respectively at the end of the investigation course (8 weeks after treatment). The tested EPN S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora behaved with Lepidoptera insects oppositely with Coleopteran whereas H. bacteriophora surpassed S. carpocapsae in reducing infestation with Lepidoptera insects except with Ephestia calidella . For example, after eight weeks from the application with 4000 IJs /ml of H. bacteriophora the reduction in infestation with Batrachedra amydraula , Ephestia calidella and Viracola livia were 85.5, 79.9 and 78.2% opposite to 81.8, 89.4 and 70.4 % reduction caused by S. carpocapsae at the concentration of 4000 IJs/ ml. with these insects, respectively.