Local Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) Against the Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Georgia

Backround and Objective: Cydalima perspectalis is a major invasive species of Buxus colchica common in Georgia. It was decided to investigate the mortality of C. perspectalis using local entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Materials and Methods: To study the efficiency of local EPNs, was invaded the pest with the above mentioned nematodes and studied their effect on them. Use of identified effective species in the field experiments. These species of nematodes were first tested on C. perspectalis. The studies were carried out both in the laboratory as well in field conditions. Results: In the laboratory experiments, two different doses of a suspension of nematodes were used: 50 and 100 IJs/against of these five species, the highest insect mortality was due to the action of Heterorhabditis sp. (100%), Steinernema gurgistana (100%) and Steinernema thesami (97.4%). These three highly virulent species were used in the field trials at doses of 1000 and 2000 Ijs L‾¹ water. In this case, Heterorhabditis sp. was less effective (56.5%) than S. thesami (85.5%) and S. gurgistana (78.1%). Conclusion: Studies showed that the local species of these nematodes used in the experiments (S. thesami and S. gurgistana) are characterized by the high pathogenicity of this pest.