Pathogenicity and virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes against Dichelops melacanthus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

• Published in: Semina. Ciências agrárias : revista cultural e científica da Universidade Estadual de Londrina Vol. 40; no. 4; p. 1417
• Main Authors: Guide, Bruna Aparecida, Alves, Viviane Sandra, Fernandes, Thiago Augusto Paes, Marcomini, Matheus Corseti, Meneghin, Ana Maria, Neves, Pedro Manuel Oliveira Janeiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2019
• ISSN: 1676-546X; 1679-0359
• DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n4p1417

Infestations of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in corn and wheat in Brazil, and the subsequent damage, have increased in recent years, mainly owing to this insect’s ability to survive the off-season. The control of this insect is mainly carried out with chemical insecticides, but the development of alternative methods, such as biological control, can contribute to a more sustainable management. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) for the control of D. melacanthus. A selection test was performed with 15 isolates of genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis regarding their pathogenicity and virulence on adults of D. melacanthus. Concentration (10, 20, 40, 50, and 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/cm2) and greenhouse tests were carried out only with the Steinernema feltiae isolate (IBCB-n 47). All experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design. The selection test data were submitted to the Scott-Knott averages test (P ? 0.05), and those from the greenhouse test to the Student's t-test. The results of the concentration assay were subjected to regression analysis. All isolates showed pathogenicity and virulence in adults of D. melacanthus. The isolates GL (Heterorhabditis amazonensis), IBCB-n27 (Steinernema sp.), and RSC05 (H. amazonensis) were the most virulent (80.0, 82.0, and 88.0% mortality, respectively). The higher concentrations of S. feltiae (50 and 100 IJs/cm²) were responsible for the highest mortality rates of green belly stink bug (88.0 and 86.0%, respectively). In the greenhouse test, S. feltiae caused higher mortality (38%) than the control.