Use of a nematode, Heterorhabditis heliothidis, to control black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, in potted plants

SUMMARY Application of aqueous suspensions of infective juvenile Heterorhabditis heliothidis , isolate T327, to the soil resulted in up to 100% parasitisation of larvae of the black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus , in potted yew, raspberries and grapes in nurseries, and over 87% parasitisation on potted cyclamens and strawberries. Pupae and newly emerged adults on grapevines were also parasitised. Another isolate, T310, produced 92.5 to 98.5% parasitism of O. sulcatus larvae on potted cyclamens in glasshouse, but was less effective on strawberries. Neoaplectana bibionis was found to be less effective than H. heliothidis T327 strain. The use of these nematodes provides an economical and effective method for controlling O. sulcatus on potted plants in glasshouses and nurseries.