Infectivity, Production and Host Finding of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 and Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) against Ceratitis capitata

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of temperature on the ability of two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 and Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) California, to infect Ceratitis capitata (full-grown larvae and one and three days old pupae) under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that the temperature and EPNs concentration had a significant effect on the efficacy of nematode species. Full-grown larvae had the highest sensitivity compared to one and three days old pupae. The mortality percentages in the tested stages of C. capitata were increased as the concentration increased. The ability of H. bacteriophora was higher than of S. feltiae at all tested concentrations and temperatures. There were significant differences in terms of the number of IJs extracted from full-grown larvae and pupae of different treatments. Also, H. bacteriophora was the most reproductive, in vivo of full-grown larvae and pupae of C. capitata, at all tested concentrations. H. bacteriophora was superior to S. feltiae in reaching and killing the target host of C. capitata. Generally, H. bacteriophora had more virulent, high production and more ability to host finding than S. feltiae at all tested temperatures. Thus, the success of entomopathogenic nematode, H. bacteriophora as biological control agent against Ceratitis capitata seemes to be suitable for use in integrated pest control strategies.