Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) and their in vivo mass production.

The efficacy of three entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), viz., Steinernema masoodi, S. seemae and Steinernema sp. (strain IIPR 03) were tested against green bug, Nezara viridula and their in vivo mass production have been carried out during July, 2007 at IIPR, Kanpur. Individual N. viridula adult buds were infected with 500 infective juveniles (IJs) of S. masoodi, S. seemae, and Steinernema sp. (strain IIPR 03) seperately and were observed daily for their mortality. The experiments were conducted in 6 well plate at 28 ±°C and replicated six times along with a control. EPN emerging out of the body of dead insects were collected daily through white trap, till the emergence of IJs was exhausted and the total populations of EPN emerged were counted. EPN, S. seemae were found more virulent as these brought about cent percent mortality of N. viridula within 48 h, whereas this level of mortality of test insect was observed within 72 h through EPN, S. masoodi, and Steinernema sp. (strain IIPR 03). Observation on multiplication of EPN in this insect showed that highest yield of Steinernema sp. (strain IIPR 03) was recorded; 0.94 X 105 IJs/cadaver, followed by S. masoodi; 0.84 X 105 IJs/cadaver and S. seemae, 0.58 X 105 IJs/cadaver. Infectivity of N. viridula by entomopathogenic nematodes is being reported for the first time. This opens a new hope of utilizing EPN in the management of green bug infesting mungbean, urdbean, pigeonpea and other leguminous crops.