Evaluation of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae Filipjev as a biological control agent against carrot fly (Psila rosae F.)

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been utilised in classical, conservation, and augmentative biological control programs.
The vast majority of applied research has focused on their potential as inundatively applied augmentative biological control agents.
Studies have included the use of EPNs to control the life stages of soil dwelling insect pests.
In this study we evaluated the potential for using infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae to control the larvae of carrot fly in carrot crops under field conditions.
Although results obtained using the S. feltiae (Entonem™) treatments were not shown to be statistically significant, there is a suggestion that at the higher dose levels i.e., 3 billion IJs ha^‑1 S. feltia could provide low levels of carrot fly control.
The results from this experiment and the wider implications for using EPNs as biological control agents as part of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against carrot fly in carrot and other Apiaceae crop production systems will be discussed in this paper.

III International Symposium on Carrot and Other Apiaceae

R.H. Binks, A. Jukes, R.H. Collier

biological control, carrot fly (Psila rosae F.), entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs)

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1393.15