Compatibility of entomopathogenic nematode, steinernema glaseri with cypermethrin

Bioefficacy of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Steinernema glaseri, on the cypermethrin treated larvae was assessed in terms of morbidity induction time, mortality time, incubation period (of EPN within host) and harvesting potential of EPN from infected host, Spodoptera litura. The study reflected that the cypermethrin treated host could act as an acceptable and suitable host that permitted invasion and proliferation of EPN within it, though there was a dose dependent increase in incubation period, with corresponding decrease in parasitization and their harvesting potential. The host treatment effect was only evident at LC₉₀ dose, though it was not drastic enough to question the efficacy of EPN. The F₁ generation of EPN derived from insecticide treated host, was also found to be reasonably infectious(>80% parasitization efficacy) to the host. In view of the performance of EPN towards host treated with sublethal (LC₅₀) and nearly lethal dose (LC₉₀) of cypermethrin, inundative releases of these EPN might be considered compatible with the use of cypermethrin treatment. Further, the efficacy of F₁ EPN indicated the potential of inoculative releases of EPN in conjunction with cypermethrin treatment in an integrated strategy.