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Field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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Abstract

The striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a key pest of crucifer vegetables in Southern China. The use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) within an integrated pest management approach may offer an effective and environmentally safe strategy to suppress outbreaks of this pest. In the present study, the efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae All and Heterorhabditis indica LN2 for the control of P. striolata in the field was evaluated, as well as the combined application of EPNs and azadirachtin against the pest. Both nematode species were capable of reducing populations of the soil-dwelling stages of P. striolata, thus leading to a reduction of the adult populations and the associated shot-hole damage on the leaves. Nematode treatments also increased cabbage yields as compared to the control and azadirachtin treatments alone. Azadirachtin alone was not effective to prevent damage by P. striolata, but it could enhance the control effect of S. carpocapsae shortly after application. Osmotically treated infective juveniles (IJs) of S. carpocapsae All performed as well as untreated IJs.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the VLIR (Belgium) own initiatives programme ENCHIBE (Entomopathogenic nematodes for sustainable control of chive midge and flea beetle in China, ZEIN2007PR339), National High-Technology Research and Development Project (863 Project) (2011AA10A201), Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Project (2009B091300015, 2009B050700033, 2010B050300017, 2011B040300013), Nonprofit sector project (201003025), Guangzhou Science and Technology Project (2011J2200032), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31010103912) and Young Scientists Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China (31101494).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Entomological Institute, 105 Xingang Road West, Guangzhou, 510260, China

    Xun Yan & Richou Han

  2. Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Xun Yan, Maurice Moens & Patrick De Clercq

  3. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96, 9280, Merelbeke, Belgium

    Maurice Moens

  4. Institute of Plant Protection, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, 437 Dongguan Street, Baoding, 071000, China

    Shulong Chen

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  1. Xun Yan
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  2. Richou Han
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  3. Maurice Moens
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  4. Shulong Chen
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  5. Patrick De Clercq
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Correspondence to Patrick De Clercq.

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Handling Editor: Ralf Ehlers.

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Yan, X., Han, R., Moens, M. et al. Field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). BioControl 58, 247–256 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-012-9482-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-012-9482-y

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