Efficacy of <i>Steinernema feltiae</i> Nematode Against Lesser Mealworm (<i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i>) Populations from Poultry Farms in Türkiye
In the veterinary field, particularly in the poultry farming sector, <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a significant pest that causes economic losses and acts as a vector for various pathogens. This study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/11/567 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | In the veterinary field, particularly in the poultry farming sector, <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a significant pest that causes economic losses and acts as a vector for various pathogens. This study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode <i>Steinernema feltiae</i> Filipjev, 1934 against both the larval (fifth instar) and imago (adult) of <i>A. diaperinus</i> from various Turkish populations. The insects were collected from six poultry farms in the provinces of Balikesir, Bolu, Canakkale, Manisa, and Izmir in Türkiye, bred, and then tested at concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 infective juveniles (IJs) per milliliter. Mortality was monitored over a five-day period. The findings revealed that larvae were much more susceptible to <i>S. feltiae</i> nematodes compared to adults, with LC<sub>50</sub> values of larvae ranging from 33.17 to 83.12 IJs/mL. The Manisa population was the most susceptible, while the Izmir population was the most resistant. These results suggest that <i>S. feltiae</i> could be an effective biological control agent for managing <i>A. diaperinus</i> in Turkish poultry farms, reducing the reliance on chemical insecticides. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2306-7381 |