Search

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of the combination of entomopathogenic nematodes and non-synthetic insecticides in the control of Nasutitermes spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae). Bioassays were performed upon insect collection from areas with the high incidence of this pest. The experimental arena for insecticide assays consisted of 80-mL plastic containers with a screened cover. We tested six insecticides and the nematode species Heterorhabditidis bacteriophora RS58, Steinernema glaseri RS38, and Heterorhabditis sp. isolates AL39, AL40, AL41, AL42, AL43, AL44, AL46, and AL47, all of which were grown in last-instar larvae of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The insecticides Codipirol®, Pure Neem Oil®, and Pyroligneous Acid Extract® caused high mortality in adults of Nasutitermes. The nematode Heterorhabditis sp. AL40 presented a median lethal concentration of 7976 infectious juveniles per adult of Nasutitermes sp. In addition, the mixture of these three non-synthetic products at a concentration of 3% caused complete mortality in Heterorhabditis sp. AL40 and S. glaseri RS38. Future trials should be encouraged in order to evaluate the field efficiency of non-synthetic insecticides mixed or not with entomopathogenic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]