Evaluation of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes from tea soil of Assam as potential bio-control agents against Termites and Cockchafer grub in tea

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate native entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in the tea growing areas of Assam and to determine their potential for control of Termite and Cockchafer grub. Soil samples were collected from three tea estates of jorhat, Assam for EPN isolation.A total of 30 soil samples were tested for the study. Larva of meal moth, Corcyra cephalonica was used as insect bait. Out of 30 samples 9 were found to be positive for EPNs. The infected host larvae were separated for extraction using “white trap method”. All the isolates were evaluated to ascertain their pathogenicity against Termite and cockchafer grub. From the experiment the isolated strain @ 50IJ, 75IJ and 100 IJ was found to be highly pathogenic to Termite and cockchafer grub, which recorded 94-100% mortality in termite and 100% in all concentrations against cockchafer grub. After infection to prove the cause of mortality EPN could be recovered from the termite and cockchafer cadavers.

Keywords: Corcyra cephalonica, EPN, pathogenicity, cadavers