Management of the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) using pheromone traps, entomopathogenic fungi, and entomopathogenic nematodes

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2023

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This research investigated the viability of three different entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species from different genera, four strains of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), and an Alpha Scents ® sweetpotato weevil trap for efficacy against the sweetpotato weevil (SPW). SPW mortality experiments using EPF and EPN were conducted in the laboratory. Heterorhabditis indica OM-160 had an adjusted mortality of 20-30%, Steinernema feltiae MG-14 had an adjusted mortality of 50-60%, while Oscheius tipulae OA-12 had an adjusted mortality at 30%. For EPF, Botanigard® (a.i. Beauveria bassiana GHA strain) caused a relative mortality above 30%, while mortality from Met Master® (a.i. Metarhizium anisopliae) was lower than the untreated control. Six field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of EPN and EPF. In five field experiments, application of commercial EPF products (Botanigard®, Mycotrol®, and Met Master® ) did not reduce SPW populations or damage. A Metarhizium isolated in Hawaii (KO002) substantially reduced damage and SPW population densities when inoculated into a compost and amended to soil at sweetpotato planting. S. feltiae MG-14 and O. tipulae OA-12 reduced SPW populations. EPN and commercial EPF effectiveness was negated when applied to the same plots. Pheromone traps were found to be effective at capturing males and monitoring population density of SPW in the field. Based on a field trial, SPW ppheromone traps did not interfere with biological control treatments. Therefore, for management of SPW, EPN and KO002 were effective against SPW. Commercial EPF products were ineffective and are not recommended. Pheromone traps were effective population monitors and are recommended for monitoring of sweetpotato weevil pest pressure.

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Agriculture, Environmental health, Parasitology, Entomopathogenic, fungi, nematode, plant, sweetpotato, weevil

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94 pages

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