LABORATORY EVALUATION OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES AGAINSTAMERICAN SERPENTINE LEAF MINER, LIRIOMYZA TRIFOLII (BURGESS)

A laboratory study was conducted during 2011 to 2013 for evaluating the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against Liriomyza trifolii. Seventy two soil samples were collected from three districts of Kerala, namely, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam for the isolation of EPNs. Four numbers of EPNs, viz., EPN Isolate - 1, 2, 3 and 4 were obtained from collected soil samples. All the isolated EPNs were identified as Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser. The efficacy of soil isolated EPNs was compared with Steinernema bicornutum Tallosi, Peters & Ehlers and Heterorhabditis indica Poinar, Karunakar and David by leaf disc bioassay method. The treated EPNs were effective in causing mortality to L. trifolii maggots inside the mines. But S. carpocapsae Isolate – 1 (Kannara) was found to be more effective against L. trifolii larvae with lowest LC50 (1.79/ maggot) value (24 h). The pathogenicity of EPNs against L. trifolii revealed the scope of their utilization in IPM programmes.