SUSCEPTIBILITY OF DIFFERENT LARVAL STAGES OF THE TOMATO LEAF MINER, TUTA ABSOLUTA (MEYRICK) (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) TO SELECTED ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODE SPECIES

Abstract

Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a key threat to tomato production worldwide. Current management methods remain insufficient to ensure effective control of this insect pest. Hence, more scientific research is needed towards finding more effective and sustainable solutions. In the present study, the efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species Steinernema feltiae UTP-5, S. carpocapsae E-76, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora AVB-15 was tested against the 1^st/2^nd and 3^rd/4^th larval stages of T. absoluta at different concentrations (5 infective juveniles (IJs) cm^-2, 10 IJs cm^-2, 20 IJs cm^-2) under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, RH 60%).