Agrotis EPN Data

The present study was, undertaken with the objective to assess the virulence of local isolates of EPNs of Himachal Pradesh, <i>Heterorhabditis</i> sp. against black cut worm, <i>Agrotis segetum</i> in order to minimize the use of insecticides during crop protection. Against L3-5 of <i>A. segetum, H. indica </i>was found highly effective, resulting into 33.33-93.33 per cent mortality at 40 IJs/larva after 96 hours of treatment. Among local isolates, <i>Heterorhabditis </i>sp.<i> </i>(HSG) influenced maximum mortality of L3 and L4, whereas in L5, <i>H. bacteriophora </i>(HRJ)<i> </i>influenced maximum mortality. The sensitivity of L3 to different entomopathogenic nematodes was 7.0-16.6 % higher as compared to L4. In soil bioassay carried out against L4 of <i>A. segetum</i>, <i>H. bacteriophora </i>(HRJ) was found highly effective followed by <i>Heterorhabditis </i>sp.<i> </i>(HKM) and <i>Heterorhabditis </i>sp.<i> </i>(HSG) at 10000 IJs/kg of soil. The mortality varied from 78.33-81.67 % after 7 days of treatment with local isolates.