The efficency of the entomopathogenic nematodes isolated from tokat province against colorado potato beetle [(Leptinotarsa decemlineata (say))] (Coleoptera: Chrysomeli̇dae)]

Due to many pests, serious product loss is observed in the production and storage of potato. One of the pest organisms reducing potato production is Colorado Potato Beetle [(Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)) (Coleoptera: Chrysomalidae)] (CPB). CPB is a polyphagous pest that damage each period of potato. Entomopathogenetic nematodes (EPNs), the species of Steinernema, Neosteinernema (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) have a very important role than the other nematod groups in biological control of the insect pests. EPNs are efficiently used against insects spending a portion of their life in the soil and cryptic habitats. In the study was intended to be used entomopathogenic nematodes [Heterorhabditis bacteriophora TOK 20 isolate (H.b 20), H. bacteriophora TOK 44 isolate (H.b 44) and Steinernema caprocapsae TOK 05 isolate (S.c 05)] (EPNs) isolated from Tokat province against Colorado potato beetle [(Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)] (CPB). In vitro studies (laboratory-plate studies) were carried out in 24 wells culture plates. The nematodes in the prepared suspension were given to filter paper or soil in each well at doses of 0.2 ml-1 at 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 Infected juveniles (IJs) insect -1. One last instar larvae of CPB were placed in each well and incubated at 25±1°C. In vivo studies (greenhouse-pot studies) have been carried out as pot experiments in greenhouse. In soil applications were sprayed with the application of 25 IJs cm-2. In cadaver applications, two Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae infested with EPNs were placed in each pot. The highest mortality rate of the EPNs in the soil applications was obtained in H. bacteriophora (TOK 20) (71,00%). Cadaver applications were similar to that of the soil applications as the highest mortality rate was seen in same isolate (TOK 20) (28,00%). It will be appropriate that the results obtained from this study made in laboratory and greenhouse conditions are also to be tried in the field conditions for the controling of CPB. It is hoped that the study will be helpful in the control strategies of this in a future time.