Evaluation of Entomopathogenic nematode and fungi alone and their combination against red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier)

Abstract

The Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is a globally obnoxious insect pest of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Different concentrations of Beauveria bassiana and single concentration of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and their combination was applied on 2nd, 4th and 6th grub instars. The data of mycosis, sporulation, number of nematode produced, number of grubs infected and grub mortality was observed after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment and data analyzed by probit analysis. In combination (Bb2+Hb) 100% and 95.03% mortality of 4th and 6th instar after 21 days. Maximum sporulation was recorded 190.00% in 2nd instar grubs when Bb1 applied alone, while least sporulation was 128.05% observed in adult stage when Bb2+Hb was used in 6th instar. Maximum larvae affected by nematodes are 75.92% in 2nd instar grubs when Hb applied alone, while least was number of Larva 32.61% recorded in adult stage when Bb2+Hb was used in 6th instar.