• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2003

Field application of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpncapsae, is limited by its susceptibility to UV irradiation and desiccation especially at leaf spray control. This study was conducted to develop the control technique using alginate biocapsulation of the nematodes against the beet armyworm, Spodoprera exigua and the tobacco cutworm, Sp. litura that are normally infesting hosts above ground level. The alginate capsules including infective juveniles gave significant feeding toxicities to the larvae of the two lepidopteran species. The lethality followed a typical sigmoid dose-mortality pattern with increase of the nematode densities embedded in the capsules. Moisture content in the capsule was critical to the survival of the infective juveniles. More than 80% nematodes could survive above 10% moisture content remained in the capsule. Remaining moisture content within the capsule was dependent on relative humidity, ambient temperature, and capsule size, but not on citric acid reaction time during capsule formation. More than 80% of infective juveniles in the alginate capsules could survive in distilled water at 15$^{\circ}C$ for 60 days. When these nematode capsules containing welsh onion extract as another phagostimulant were applied on the 3rd instar larvae of Sp. exigua infesting peanut plants, they resulted in about 90% control efficacy. These results indicate that the alginate capsulation can be used for leaf-spray agent of the entomopathogenic nematodes as well as for improved storage purpose.