Biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against selected key insect pests of canola in Alberta

The Challenge

Insect pest resistance to chemical controls is a growing problem even as the number of chemical control options decrease. More, and different control options are needed for farmers.

The Project

Evaluate the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in a laboratory experiment against foliar insect pests including flea beetles, bertha armyworm, diamondback moth, lygus and cabbage root maggots.

The Results

The efficacy of EPNs for each insect pest varied. Results indicate that EPNs have a significant potential to manage both lygus bugs and diamondback moths at nymph stage, as the EPNs caused high mortality. They have moderate to high potential to manage cutworms and cabbage root maggots. However, they show low potential for flea beetle control.

Grower Benefits

These evaluations will direct future investigations under field trials with the long-term goal of providing a sustainable insect pest management approach for Western Canadian farmers.