Determination of entomopathogenic nematode fauna in apple orchards found in Çanakkale and effectiveness on codling moth (Cydia pomonella, Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in laboratory

Entomopathogenic nematode fauna was determined with this study is regarding to apple orchards in Çanakkale and its counties and the effeciency of isolates against to codling moth larvae Cydia pomonella (Lep.: Tortricidae) was researched in laboratory. 596 soil samples were taken from the apple orchards of Çanakkale and its counties in June 2009. Entomopathogenic nematodes were obtained from the soil samples by using host insect. Last instar of Galleria mellonella (Lep.: Pyralidae) larvae were used as host insect. 57 entomopathogenic nematode isolates recovered from 596 soil samples. Some morphological characters of entomopathogenic nematodes were determined and based on morphometrics data, nematode species were identified. 25 isolates were identified as Steinernema feltiae and 32 isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora of 57 recovered isolates.The study that aimed to determine the effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes isolated from the soil samples of apple orchards in Çanakkale and its counties were conducted as 12 repetitions. Four temperature (10, 15, 20 and 25 oC) and three application dose (100, 200 and 400 IJ/larvae) were used and the study was ended at the end of 7th day. For the assays of effectiveness 7 S. feltiae and 7 H. bacteriophora isolates were used.The mortality in codling moth larvae was increase by high application doses of H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae at 10 oC. But the mortality caused by S. feltiae in codling moth larvae was found higher than the mortality caused by H. bacteriophora at lower temperatures. As a result the mortality in codling moth larvae was found high for both two species used in the study when the temperature increases.Key words: Steinernema feltiae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Cydia pomonella, fauna, effectiveness.