Entomopathogenic nematodes reduce wireworm (Agriotes spp., Coleoptera: Elateridae) damage in potatoes under field conditions

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are obligate parasites of many arthropods and highly effective bioagents in controlling various soil-dwelling insect pests such as wireworms (Agriotes spp.). Wireworms pose a serious threat to potato production due to their subterranean feeding habits, and are traditionally controlled by synthetic insecticides that have environmental drawbacks. This study assessed the field performance of native EPN, Steinernema feltiae BL22 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora N3, applied at two concentrations (1 x 106 infective juveniles (IJ) m-2 and 1.5 x 106 IJ m-2) in potato fields in Bolu and Afyon, T & uuml;rkiye. Treatments were compared to seed-applied imidacloprid insecticide. The mean number of pre-treatment wireworms was 8.2 +/- 1.1 m-2 and 7.0 +/- 0.9 m-2 in Bolu and Afyon, respectively. Both nematode species significantly reduced wireworm populations and tuber damage, with reductions exceeding 80%, comparable to insecticide efficacy. Higher nematode doses enhanced the effectiveness of control measures. These results demonstrate that local EPN isolates can effectively suppress wireworm infestations under field conditions, supporting their potential integration into sustainable pest management programmes to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides.