Efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae cross N 33 against larvae and pupae of four fly species in the laboratory

Abstract

The susceptibility of larval, pupal and adult stages of the flies Lucilia sericata, Calliphora vicina, Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans to the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae Cross N 33, was studied under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1 ºC, 60 ± 10% RH. and 12:12 L/D h photoperiod. Bioassays of second and third instar larvae of the flies were conducted in Petri dish and pupae were bioassayed in soil and manure. Mortality of second and third instar maggots in all fly species increased significantly with the increase of S. feltiae concentration and time post-application. Lucilia sericata was the most susceptible second instar to S. feltiae with LC50 and LC90 of 47.04 and 193.8 IJs, respectively. Musca domestica had the most susceptible third instar maggots with LC50 and LC90 of 75.1 and 292 IJs, respectively. In soil and manure, the rates of infected pupae and fly emergence differed significantly among the tested concentrations within each fly species. Rates of infected pupae and LC50 and LC90 were consistently higher in soil than in manure. The reproduction of S. feltiae differed significantly among the tested fly species and was greatest in Galleria mellonella (control) followed by L. sericata.