Compatibility of new species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema dharanaii Kulkarni et al., 2012 (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) from India with some modern biopesticides

The paper reports the compatibility of Infective Juveniles (IJs) ofnew species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema dharanaii (TFRIEPN-15) was evaluated against some new generation biopesticides (9 products comprising of 5 botanical pesticides, Neem Gold®, Neem oil®, Agropest Bt. ®, Derisome®, Ozomite®, 3 microbial pesticides, Bioprahar®, Conserve® , Delfine®) and 1 Insect Growth Regulator (Cigna®). The freshly harvested Infective Juveniles (IJs) were exposed to the desired concentration of the biopesticides, which normally ranged from concentration lower to higher concentration specific to the type of biopesticides for 72 hours and data on the survival in IJs was recorded. The iinfectivity of the surviving IJs was also tested in laboratory against the wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella. The results showed that the EPNs survival on highest concentration of different biopesticides such as, Neemgold 2.0% survival 84.76%, Neem oil 1.0% survival 86.28%, Spinosad 1.5% survival 91.63%,Agropest Bt. 2.0% survival 94.16, Bioprahar 2.0% survival 93.60%, Cigna 2.0% survival 75.94%, Derisome 0.3% survival 71.55%, Delfin 0.10% survival 42.69 and Ozomites 0.2% survival 44.95% respectively. The results indicated no detrimental effect on the survival, infectivity and progeny production of EPN, Steinernema dharanaii (TFRIEPN-15), which were exposed recommended lower to highest concentration of the nine selected biopesticides. The experimental results discussed in the paper are important considering the future possibility of combination treatments against the major forest insect pests under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme.