Identification of pathogenic strains of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi for wireworm control

Wireworms, the subterranean larval stage of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), are an important pests of potatoes throughout the world. Laboratory assays were done to identify virulent strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and fungi against wireworm, Agriotes lineatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Elateridae). A fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch), Sorokin strains V1002 and LRC181A, caused 90 and 100% mortality of A. lineatus, 3 weeks post-inoculation. Other M. anisopliae strains caused mortality ranging between 10 and 70%, whereas strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) were non-pathogenic to A. lineatus. The EPN, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar strain UWS1, caused significantly greater mortality (67%) to A. lineatus than other EPN species (0–50%), 3 weeks post-inoculation. The organophosphate insecticide Mocap 10G gave 100% control. The present results suggest that M. anisopliae strain V1002 has considerable potential for the control of the wireworm tested.