Management of White grub (Leucopholis burmesterie) infesting Arecanut through Entomopathogenic Nematodes under field conditions

The present investigation was carried out to find out the response of combined application of native strains of EPN and imidacloprid insecticide on suppression of root grub Leucopholis burmesterie and other symptomatic parameters in root grub affected arecanut palms and yield. The result indicated that significant reduction in grub population as well as increase yield and emergence of healthy roots in treated palms compare to farmer practice. The combined application of EPN, Steinernema carpocapsae @ 1.0 × 10⁷ P⁻¹ + imidacloprid @ 0.004% (1 ml/5 litre water/palm) has resulted in an average 53.1% reduction of grub population within two years of treatment then exclusive application of EPN and imidacloprid (P<0.05) in root grub infested arecanut gardens at Karnataka. Resulted, native strains S. carpocapsae combination with imidacloprid may be used as an effective curative measure for root grub infestation in arecanut. The infectivity of the tested EPNs against root grub is opens up a new hope of utilizing them in insect pest management in arecanut.