Survival and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematode Oscheius rugaoensis in different formulations against wax moth, Galleria mellonella
Jisna George, Gitanjali Devi and Badal Bhattacharyya
Entomopathogenic nematode, Oscheius rugaoensis were formulated in six different formulations such as talc, sawdust, alginate gel, water dispersible granule, compost: charcoal powder mixture and water. All formulations tested in vitro at two temperatures (5 0C and 30 0C) to evaluate their storage and infectivity against wax moth, Galleria mellonella. Sawdust and Alginate gel formulations were enhanced highest survival of infective juveniles of Oscheius rugaoensis than the other formulations. Per cent survival of Oscheius rugaoensis infective juveniles (IJs) was 98.30% in sawdust and 97.30% in alginate gel up to 6th week of storage at 5 0C, whereas per cent survival was less (95.50% and 93.76 % respectively) at 30 0C up to 6th week of storage. Larval mortality of G. mellonella by Oscheius rugaoensiswas 47.66%, 67.33%, and 81.66% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively at 5 0C whereas larval mortality was 43.66%, 64.66% and 78.00% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively at 30 0C.