Evidence of fall armyworm control by foliar applications of entomopathogenic nematodes in corn fields

The use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) for the control of below-ground insects has shown historically positive outcomes. Application of nematodes to the foliage for the control of above-ground insects is expected to be less effective; however, above-ground pest control with nematodes remains seldom studied. Therefore, this study aims to enhance our understanding of foliar pest control with nematodes, by using the commercially available Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematode for the control of fall armyworm (FAW), one of the most important above-ground pests of corn. Thus, we performed localized foliar applications of nematodes in corn fields infested with FAW larvae at the Biological Control Research Station of the Zamorano University, Honduras. The objective of this study was to understand how efficient EPN's are against FAW larvae after a localized application inside the corn whorl. We hypothesized that EPN's would have a positive control against FAW larvae, comparable to the control of a conventional insecticide. To test this hypothesis we directed localized foliar applications of different nematode doses and the conventional insecticide emamectin benzoate, to the corn whorl. Our results suggest EPN's can be potentially used as a biological control agents against FAW infestations with localized applications.