Journal of Biological Control

Number 33 (2), 2019

80-87
Evaluation of volumes of Ceratitis capitata larvae in exposure devices to Diachasmimorpha longicaudata in mass rearing conditions in Costa Rica

Authors: Rossy Morera-Montoya, Helga Blanco-Metzler, Maria Isabel Gonzalez-Lutz

Abstract

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Five volumes (60 cc, 70 cc, 80 cc, 90 cc and 100 cc) of L3 of Ceratitis capitata in exposure devices to the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata were evaluated in mass rearing conditions with the objective of finding the optimal quantity of host larvae to obtain the best parasite quality parameters. The variables like parasitism, sexual proportion and fertility were analyzed with ANOVA and compared with Tukey’s range test. Significant differences were found for treatment in the variable parasitism (ρ = 0.0244), showing that the treatments of 60 cc and 70 cc obtained the highest number of parasitized larvae. The variables like sex ratio and fertility did not show any difference between treatments, but for fecundity there were variations for days 5 and 3 (ρ<0.0001). The flight ability, male and female mortality and fertility variables were analyzed with the model of logistic regression analysis with autocorrelation correction (response variable is binomial), for which treatment effects were found only in the variable mortality of males for the treatment 70 cc. According to these results, the volume of 70 cc would be the promissory treatment for industrial production in order to obtain greater parasitism and a longer life of males.

88-97
Biodiversity of mealybugs, their host range and bio-control agents associated in different districts of Chhattisgarh plains

Authors: Chandramani Sahu, Sunil Joshi, Jaya Laxmi Ganguli

Abstract

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Number of views: 1039

The survey of host range of mealybugs in five districts of Chhattisgarh plain regions namely Rajnandgaon, Balod, Dhamtari, Mahasamund and Raipur districts in which 132 plant species were observed. Among these, 72 plant species belonging to 28 families were identified as hosts out of which two species were of pulses (2.78%), one oilseed (1.39%), ten vegetables (13.89%), twelve fruits (16.67%), one fibre (1.39%), one sugarcane crop (1.39%), nineteen ornamentals (26.39%), fifteen medicinal (20.83%), two forest trees (2.78%) and nine plants under weeds (12.50%). The highest number of host plants of mealybugs were recorded in the family Malvaceae and Asteraceae followed by Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Among 72 plant species, 36 species of host plants were found having low infestation, 12 species had medium infestation and 24 plant species were observed to be highly infested by mealybugs. A total of eight mealybug species namely Ferrisia virgata Cockerell, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, Nipaecoccus viridis Newstead, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Rastrococcus iceryoides Green and seven species of their natural enemies i.e., Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Brumoides suturalis, Scymnus sp., Chrysoperla sp., spiders as a general predator and Aenasius sp. and Pseudleptomastix mexicana as parasitoid were observed during the present studies. Among the Mealybugs species, P. solenopsis Tinsley was noticed as the most dominant species which observed on 14 species of different host plants infested with maximum 46.66 percent.

98-102
Age, mating status and sex influence food consumption and utilization efficiency of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister

Authors: Bhupendra Kumar

Abstract

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A study was designed to evaluate the combined effects of age, mating status and sex on the feeding attributes of the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister when fed on Parthenium hysterophorus L., a serious weed of wastelands, pastures and agricultural fields. Newly emerged adult beetles were placed in two groups. Adults of the first group were kept unmated and their daily feeding and growth attributes were assessed for the following 20 days. By comparison, males and females of the second group were allowed to mate on the 11th day (attainment of sexual maturity) and mating pairs were kept individually to assess their daily feeding and growth attributes for the following 10 days. Results revealed higher consumption and growth rates of Z. bicolorata females than males. In contrast, males exhibited higher food conversion efficiencies than the females. However, food consumption and growth rates of unmated adults were higher than mated adults. Agebased regression graphs revealed decreased consumption rates, conversion efficiencies and growth rates of Z. bicolorata adults with increase in age. However, the mean body biomass of adults increased with increasing age. This further suggested compensatory feeding in Z. bicolorata adults as they age. The present findings may be helpful to mass-multiply Z. bicolorata in laboratories for the biocontrol of Parthenium weed in agricultural farms on the Indian subcontinent.

103-108
Spatial distribution of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and its parasitoid, Diaeretiella rapae (Mc Intosh) under sub-temperate conditions of Himachal Pradesh, India

Authors: S. C. Verma, Shikha Sharma, P. L. Sharma

Abstract

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Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Aphididae: Hemiptera) is one of the most serious pest of cauliflower throughout the world. Knowledge of spatial distribution is important for developing an effective sampling plan and ultimately for IPM strategies for a given pest. In the present study spatial distribution of B. brassicae and its parasitoid, Diaeretiella rapae (Mc lntosh) (Braconidae: Hymenoptera) was studied on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis) under sub-temperate conditions of India during 2017. Both B. brassicae and D. rapae assumed activity in the fourth week of January and remained active till May end with peak activity during fourth week of March, 2017. Dispersion indices like variance to mean ratio (σ2/X), David-Moore index (IDM = σ2/X-1), mean crowding (X*), Lloyd’s mean crowding index (X*/X) and ‘k’ of negative binomial indicated that both the aphid and the parasitoid followed negative binomial distribution throughout the cropping season, Taylor’s power equation was σ2 = 1.7013X0.5314 for B. brassicae and σ2 = 2.2057X1.4467 for D. rapae, while Iwao’s patchiness regression equation was X*= 32.0099+1.7947X and X*= -2.0678+2.2746X for B. brassicae and D. rapae, respectively. Optimum number of samples required varied with the mean density and the desired precision level for both the aphid and the parasitoid.

109-116
Reproductive performance of Trichomalopsis uziae as influenced by density of its female and host (Exorista bombycis) with a note on host exposure duration for parasitism

Authors: J. B. Narendra Kumar, D. Manjunath, D. Manjunath, V. Sivaprasad, V. Sivaprasad

Abstract

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Number of views: 360

Trichomalopsis uziae Sureshan and Narendra Kumar (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a new addition to the already reported parasitoid complex of the tachinid uzi fly, Exorista bombycis (Diptera: Tachinidae), which causes 10-20% reduction to the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) cocoon production in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Due to the non-availability of information on its biological characteristics, an attempt has been made in the present investigation to document the parasitism impact of T. uziae female at various densities of its host and reproductive performance of parasitoid at ratios of 1 to 5:5 (Parasitoid: Host) and 1:1 to 50 (P: H). The reproductive performance of the parasitoid was also assessed based on the durations of host exposure for 1 to10 days at a constant P:H ratio of 1:5. The results revealed that there was no perceptible change in the rate of parasitism at different parasitoid densities. However, the progeny production per female was significantly higher (P < 0.01) at a P:H ratio of 1:5 in comparison with 2:5 to 5:5. Further, at a variable host density (from 1 to 50), there was a linear decrease in per cent parasitism with an increase in host density and it was more drastic from a host density in exceed from 15. However, both progeny production and sex ratio increased with an increase in host density, more so from a host density upwards of 15. The host exposure duration and parasitism rate were significantly inferior at 1day exposure, while it was considerably high at other exposure periods. The progeny production was significantly higher at 2 to 5 days of exposure period without much difference in the sex-ratio.

117-121
Effect of herbicides on feeding, survival and development of Haltica cyanea, a biocontrol agent of dicot weed, Ammania baccifera L. in rice ecosystem

Authors: A. P. Padmakumari, B. Sreedevi, K. Sivakrishna

Abstract

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Number of views: 505

Ammania baccifera L. (Fam: Lathyraceae) is one of the predominant weeds in paddy fields. In nature, the adults and grubs of Haltica cyanea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed varaciously on the leaves of this weed leading to drying of the plants. In recent times with the gradual change in cultivation practices and increase in labour shortage the use of weedicides in rice ecosystem has increased tremendously. In an endeavour to explore the possibility of the use of these beetles as biocontrol agents, laboratory studies were carried out at ICAR-IIRR to compare the efficacy of H. cyanea as a biocontrol agent in comparison with the two recommended herbicides and also study the effect of these herbicides on the biology of the beetle. The two recommended herbicides, 2,4-D Na salt 80% (for broadleaved weeds) @800g a.i/ha and Metsulfuron methyl 10% + chlorimuron ethyl 10% WP (for broadleaved and sedges) @4ga.i/ha were tested against A. baccifera and the larval stages of H. cyanea. The effect of these herbicides on survival, feeding, longevity and biology of the bioagent was studied through leaf dip and pot spray method. It was observed that there was 21.67% reduction in shoot weight in beetle released plants as compared to herbicide treatment wherein 38.5-49.3% reduction in shoot weight was observed within 48h. Both the herbicides affected the biology of the insect and between the two herbicides, 2,4-D Na salt was more toxic to the grubs as compared to Metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron ethyl.

122-126
Seasonal incidence and natural enemy complex of aphid, Aphis punicae>/i> Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infesting pomegranate in Kashmir

Authors: Sajad Mohi-ud-din, Naveed Anjum, A. R. Wani, M. Jamal Ahmad, A. A. Khan, S. A. Mir, GH. Hassan

Abstract

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Survey on the pest incidence of pomegranate aphid (Aphis punicae>/i>) and natural enemies associated with it was conducted during 2016 at four locations each in district Srinagar and Baramulla. The studies revealed that that the highest mean population of aphids/shoot (33.99) was recorded in Srinagar, whereas, in Baramulla lower population of aphids/shoot (24.10) was recorded in comparison to Srinagar. Data further revealed that among different locations of Srinagar, highest average number of aphids/shoot (40.30) was observed at CITH and minimum (27.54) in Botakadal. Similarly, in district Baramulla highest mean number of aphids/shoot (27.63) was recorded at Sopore, whereas the lowest mean population (21.11/shoot) was observed at Dangerpora. The pest started its activity in Ist week of April and reached to its peak in the 2nd week of May in both the districts. Thereafter, the population of aphids declined gradually. The studies on natural enemies revealed that six coccinellid predators, viz., Coccinella septempunctata, Harmonia eucharis, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Adalia tetraspilota, Hippodamia variegate and Calvia punctata and two syrphids viz, Sphaerophoria bengalensis and Episyrphus balteatus were found associated with pomegranate aphids. Among the natural enemies C. septempunctata was found to be the most dominant in both the districts. Overall, the abundance of natural enemies associated with pomegranate aphids in Baramulla was comparatively lesser than Srinagar.

127-131
Development of bio-rational management approach against mango hopper, Idioscopus nagpurensis (Pruthi) in Bangladesh

Authors: M. S. Hossain, M. M. Hossain, M. Y. Mian, S. Akhter, R. Muniappan

Abstract

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Number of views: 349

A field experiment was conducted during the 2016-17 mango cropping season in farmers’ fields of Gazipur, Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj districts of Bangladesh to find an effective bio-rational management option for controlling the mango hopper, Idioscopus nagpurensis (Pruthi) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Randomized Complete Block Design was used incorporating 8 treatments with 3 replications. The treatments were pruning of overcrowded and overlapping branches, spraying of azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana (Lycomax, Russel IPM), imidacloprid insecticide, installation of yellow sticky grey and blue sticky trap and untreated control. Lowest leafhopper population was recorded in B. bassiana (3.0 hoppers/sweep/tree) followed by imidacloprid (3.7 leafhoppers/sweep/tree) treatments. Highest number of fruit retention was recorded in imidacloprid (40.00 fruits/20 inflorescence/tree) followed B. bassiana (32.67 fruits/20 inflorescence/tree) and azadirachtin (24.00 fruits/20 inflorescence/tree). Imidacloprid treatment offered maximum marginal benefit cost ratio (5.60). Increasing trend of hopper population was recorded in control. Considering health and environment issues, spraying of B. bassiana @ 5.0g/L of water at flower initiation stage, flowering stage and pea stage may be recommended for controlling mango hopper.

132-136
Development of biorational management for tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta

Authors: M. S. Hossain, A. K. Das, S. Akhter, M. Y. Mian, R. Muniappan

Abstract

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Number of views: 472

The experiment was carried out in farmers’ fields of Chaklarhat, Tunirhat, Panchagarh and Research Field of Horticulture Research Center, Bari, Gazipur from October 2017 to June 2018 to find an effective and suitable management approach against tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta. There was a total of ten treatments, viz., Treatment 1 = Application of Metarrhizium anisolpiae (Lycomax, Russel IPM) biopesticide in soil @ 5g/L of water, Treatment 2 = Foliar spray of azadirachtin (Bio-Neem plus 1EC @ 1ml/L of water), Treatment 3 = Foliar spray of Bacillus thuringiensis (Biocure) @ 2g/L of water, Treatment 4 = Mass trapping through installation of delta sex pheromone trap, Treatment 5 = Spraying of spinosad (Tracer 45WSC) @ 0.5ml/L of water, Treatment 6 = Spraying with chlorantraniprole (Coragen 20SC) @ 0.5ml/L of water, Treatment 7 = Hand picking and destruction of infested leaf and fruit, Treatment 8 = Foliar spray of B. thuringiensis (Biocure) @ 2g/L of water + mass trapping through installation of delta sex pheromone trap + application of M. anisolpiae biopesticide in soil @ 5g/L of water, Treatment 9 = Foliar spray of azadirachtin (Bio-Neem plus 1EC @ 1ml/L of water) + mass trapping through installation of delta sex pheromone trap + Application of M. anisolpiae (Lycomax, Russel IPM) biopesticide in soil @ 5g/L of water and Treatment 10 = untreated control were evaluated against T. absoluta following RCB design with three replications. Results revealed that foliar spray of azadirachtin (Bio- Neem plus 1EC @ 1ml/L of water) + mass trapping through installation of delta sex pheromone trap + application of M. anisolpiae (Lycomax, Russel IPM) biopesticide in soil @ 5g/L of water performed best in reducing T. absoluta infestation, increase of marketable yield and highest marginal benefit cost ratio.

137-142
Biocontrol of five invasive weeds of Meghalaya - A case study

Authors: R. K. Borah, J. Borah, S. A. Islam

Abstract

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Number of views: 540

The state of Meghalaya, in North East India is endowed with a dense cover of natural forest. A vast majority of the forests are owned by communities who traditionally practice shifting cultivation. This has resulted in significant reduction of the original forest area leading to a drastic change in the floristic composition of the state. This is evident by the ubiquitous presence of various invasive weeds such as Mikania micrantha, Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Spilanthes paniculata and Spermacoce hispida. A survey for natural fungal enemies against these weeds was carried out in the state with the objective of identifying potential biocontrol agents. A total of six pathogenic fungi were isolated from infected leaves of these target weeds. Of these, two fungi isolated from leaf spot and leaf necrosis disease of Mikania micrantha were identified as Gliocladium roseum and Phomopsis sp., respectively. The fungus isolated from S. paniculata, C. odorata, and A. conyzoides was Fusarium solani and from Spermococe hispida it was F. acuminatum. Pathogenicity test carried out on target weeds and agricultural crops grown in Meghalaya (Maize, Chilli, Tomato, Rice and Ginger) showed that all the isolated fungi were found infecting the weeds from which they were isolated and also maize and tomato. They were found non non pathogenic to seedlings of some economically important tree species of Meghalaya, viz., Pinus kesiya, Magnolia champaca, Alnus nepalensis, Chukrasia tabularis, Exbucklandia populnea and Castanopsis indica. Hence, these fungi can be tested in field condition on pilot scale, in forest areas but not in agricultural areas where maize or tomato is grown.

143-146
Ecofriendly management of Pseudodendrothrips mori Niwa and its impact on abundance of predatory coccinellids in mulberry ecosystem

Authors: N. Sakthivel

Abstract

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Number of views: 417

Efficacy of neem oil, pongamia oil, spray of strong jet of water, and the recommended pesticide, dichlorovos (76 EC) when compared to the untreated control against the thrips, Pseudodendrothrips mori Niwa (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) infesting mulberry as well as their bio-safety to the predatory coccinellids were studied under field conditions. Two numbers of sprays were effected, i.e., first at 10 Days After Pruning (DAP) of mulberry garden and second at 20 DAP with the treatments asT₁=Two sprays of neem oil, T₂=Two sprays of pongamia oil, T₃=Neem oil followed by pongamia oil, T₄=Pongamia oil followed by neem oil, T₅=Neem oil followed by water jetting, T₆=Pongamia oil followed by water jetting, T₇=Two numbers of water jetting, T₈=Dichlorovos followed by water jetting, T₉=Two spray of Dichlorovos and T₁₀=Untreated Control. The population of thrips and predatory coccinellids were recorded one day prior to each spray and @ 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after each spray up to 30 DAP. The mean values revealed that highest reduction in thrips population (84.35%) was recorded with two numbers of water jetting (T₇) and next best treatments were T₈ dichlorovos followed by water jetting (75.17%) and T₅ neem oil followed by water jetting (67.02%). With respect to the abundance of predatory coccinellids highest population (6.83) was recorded in the plots treated two times with water jetting, spray of pongamia oil followed by water jetting (4.82) and neem oil followed by water jetting (4.31), whereas least population was recorded with two sprays of dichlorovos (1.04). Among the various treatments, two sprays of forcible jet of water (water jetting) in 10 days interval were found superior in reducing the population of thrips and to conserve the predatory coccinellids in mulberry ecosystem.

147-154
Molecular characterisation of tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta populations obtained from different geographical locations of India

Authors: Ashok B. Hadapad, Ramesh Hire

Abstract

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Number of views: 525

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the major invasive insect pests on solanaceous crops. T. absoluta distribution is observed in European, North African Mediterranean basin and Asian countries. The tomato leaf miner is spreading fast and affecting tomato production in both closed and open-field conditions. This insect pest has recently reported in various tomato growing regions of India and causing significant loss of production. In the present study, occurrence of a tomato leaf miner was studied by undertaking an extensive survey in tomato growing regions of India during September 2017 to May 2018. The infestation of T. absoluta was recorded in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Severe incidence of T. absoluta infestation was recorded in Maharashtra (Nashik district) and Telangana (Mahabubnagar district) followed by Karnataka (Kalaburgi and Raichur districts). The moths collected during the survey were characterized using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene analysis. The T. absoluta samples showed maximum genetic similarity with KU565720 Kenya, KT452897 Oman, KY212128 South Africa, KY619687 India, KP814057 India and KJ657679 Florida. Nine T. absoluta populations were grouped under a single clade revealing no genetic variation within populations and showed high genetic homogeneity thereby the ideal candidate for sterile insect technique application. Further studies are required on population dynamics, host range, local and area-wide biological control management strategies for the effective management of T. absoluta.

155-159
Evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against sucking pests of Bhut Jalakia

Authors: Rudra N. Borkakati, D. K. Saikia, B. Ramanujam

Abstract

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Number of views: 389

Experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of six different strains of entomopathogenic fungi and one insecticide molecule against sucking pests of Bhut Jalakia during 2014-15 to 2016-17. Bhut Jalakia is one of the hottest chillis in the world, grown extensively in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Aphis gossypii Glover, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood and Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) are the major sucking pests of Bhut Jalakia inflicting damage right from planting to fruiting stages of the crop. Three rounds of biopesticides @ 1 × 10⁸ spores/gm and insecticide (imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 20 gm a.i./ha) imposed at 3 weeks interval against the pests revealed that imidacloprid 17.8 SL could significantly reduce the mean population of A. gossypii (4.64); S. dorsalis (2.03) and B. tabaci (0.28), closely followed by Beauveria bassiana (NBAIR-Bb-5a) with 7.20, 3.07 and 0.64 per 10 leaves and both the treatments were on par in their efficacy after third spray. The rest of the entomopathogenic fungi were more or less effective in reducing the sucking pests and statistically at par with each other compared to untreated control plot. Highest yield of 52.64 q/ha recorded in imidacloprid treated plot followed by NBAIR strain of Bb-5a with 45.85 q/ha and had no any significant difference from each other. Minimum yield of 26.78 q/ha was obtained in untreated control plot.

160-162
Survey and surveillance of natural enemies in mango ecosystem

Authors: Gundappa ., Balaji Rajkumar, P. K. Shukla

Abstract

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Number of views: 390

Abundance of natural enemies in mango ecosystem was studied through survey and surveillance. In order to record the natural enemies associated with mango ecosystem surveys were conducted in mango orchards in and around Malihabad block of Lucknow for two years. During the study period ten species of coccinellids and two species of chrysopid predators were recorded. The activity of lady bird beetles was noticed in mango orchard during first week of March to last week of March (10 to 13^th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) of 2016). Lady bird beetles, Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis, and Menochilus sexmaculata, were found in abundance and their population counts were taken. Peak populations of coccinellids were observed during 12^th SMW with 3.3 adult beetles/panicle. Six species of parasitoids were collected from the mango ecosystem, among them; the most abundant parasitoid was Brachymeria lasus, parasitizing mango leaf webber. It was evident that wherever indiscriminate use of insecticides was undertaken, natural enemy population was very low. In unprotected orchards abundant natural enemies were recorded. In order to achieve natural control of the pest it is advised that the orchardists adopt minimal spray may be taken up.

163-168
Bio-efficacy of different biological control agents for the management of chilli fruit rot/anthracnose disease

Authors: B. L. Raghunandan, Mayank V. Patel, Neha M. Patel, D. M. Mehta

Abstract

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Number of views: 640

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) an important economic crop worldwide is severely infected by fruit rot disease which may cause yield losses of up to 100%. Although different chemical fungicides are being recommended and used for the management of the disease, biocontrol-based strategy attracts considerable attention and offers great potential of novel biocontrol agents. Further, biological control methods for chilli fruit rot/anthracnose disease have not received much attention. Therefore, an investigation was carried out to assess the efficacy of different biological control agents against chilli fruit rot/anthracnose disease. Antagonistic yeast isolates Pichia guillermondii (Y-12), Hanseniaspora uvarum (Y-73) and Trichoderma asperellum (Th-3), Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf-1) were tested through seed treatment, seedling dip and foliar spray at concentration of 2 × 10⁸ cfu/g. The pathogens viz., Colletotrichum capsici, Alternaria alternata and Periconia byssoides were found associated with fruit rot during the study. Lowest mean disease intensity (MDI), highest disease control (DC) over untreated control was recorded in the treatment P. guillermondii (Y-12) (5.39% MDI, 64.72% DC) and this was found at par with the treatment P. fluorescens (Pf-1) (5.92% MDI, 65.52% DC). However, T. asperellum (Th-3) showed satisfactory results. The present study highlights the efficacy of antagonistic yeast species against chilli fruit rot pathogens and these findings serve as base for further exploration and exploitation of yeast species for eco-friendly management of crop diseases.

169-172
Bio-efficacy of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) against serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifoliiBurgess (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in oilseed crops

Authors: B. Gayatri, P. Duraimurugan

Abstract

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Number of views: 379

Virulence and efficacy of Entomopathogenic Nematode (EPN), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was tested against late instar larva of serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, under laboratory conditions. Five different Infective Juvenile (IJs) concentrations (10, 30, 50, 70 and 100 IJ larva^-1) were used. The highest mortality rate caused by H. bacteriophora is 65.1% at 24 hours and 73.8% at 48 hours post inoculation at an inoculation concentration of 100 IJ larva^-1. The minimum concentration of 30 IJs per larva shown 37.1% and 52.2% mean larval mortality at 24 and 48 hours post inoculation, respectively. The virulence of H. bacteriophora (LC₅₀) was established at 54 IJs at 24 hours and 37.8 IJs at 48 hours for killing 50% of the larvae tested. The results of this study revealed the potential and scope of EPNs for their utilization in management of L. trifolii in oilseed crops.