Entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae), to control Triatoma infestans populations (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Chagas disease vector

ACHINELLY , MARÍA F.; MARTI, GERARDO ANIBAL; ELICECHE DAIANA; MICIELI MARÍA VICTORIA; CARLOS SILVESTRE

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2021 vol. 165

1049-9644

Populations of T. infestans with high resistance to pyrethroids have beendetected in northern Argentina, resulting from application of these insecticidesfor over 15 years and rendering them ineffective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against pyrethroid-resistant and non-resistant T. infestans populations. Nymphs of T. infestans were highly susceptible to all analyzed EPN isolates. Mortality ranged from 90 to 98% with specific differences between isolates. The highest mortality was obtained with Heterorhabditis. bacteriophora (strain SUP), which was significantly different from that caused by S. feltiae but not from H. bacteriophora (strain RN). The three strains were able to multiply and emerge as infective juveniles from T. infestans cadavers, completing their lifecycle in both, pyrethroid-resistant and non-resistant populations. The number of emerging IJs was variable and ranged from 2 to 7,500. A biological approach based on attract-and-kill traps carrying EPN could constitute an effective, economic, environmentally safe and low-tech tool to control pyrethroid-resistant T. infestans populations. Future studies under field conditions will have to develop an appropriate technology of application to allow the implementation of EPN as biological control agents of the vector of the Chagas disease in Argentina.