Biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic Nematodes, Steinernema glaseri (Steiner, 1929) and Heterorhabditis indica (Poinar, Karunakar & David, 1992) against brinjal ash weevil (Myllocerus subfasciatus)
M Nithiskarani, B Anita, P Vetrivelkalai and S Jeyarajan Nelson
Brinjal ash weevil (Myllocerus subfasciatus) is an important pest of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in India and Southeast Asia. The probable efficacy of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema glaseri and Heterorhabditis indica, against the third instars of the brinjal ash weevil was tested under laboratory conditions at different concentrations. It was observed that the third instars were susceptible to the entomopathogenic nematodes. Among the two nematode species, Steinernema glaseri was more effective against third instar stage than H. indica. In soil column test, 95.00% and 87.5% mortality of Myllocerus subfasciatus was observed due to infection by S. glaseri and H. indica respectively. Both the EPNs species were able to replicate in third instars of ash weevil.