Insecticidal effect of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) against Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in stored wheat

The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, and the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella, are important pests of stored grain products. The insecticidal effect of three strains (UK 76 [=Nemasys], USA/SC, and Hawaii) of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae was determined in the laboratory, in wheat, against these pests. The nematodes were applied at three dose rates: 100, 300 and 900 nematodes/insect individual. The Hawaii strain was most virulent against T. confusum adults and larvae, with a significant dose effect in the case of the larvae. Larval mortality of this species reached 79% and 100% after 7 and 14 d of exposure to the nematodes, respectively, at the highest dose applied. On the other hand, adult mortality of T. confusum did not exceed 66%. In the case of E. kuehniella larvae, USA/SC performed best causing 52% and 69% mortality after 7 and 14 d exposure, respectively, at the highest dose tested. Since very few data are available on the effect of entomopathogenic nematodes against these pests, it is concluded that the Hawaii and USA/SC strains of S. feltiae should be further investigated as promising biological control agents for T. confusum and E. kuehniella.