Control of the banded fruit weevil Phlyctinus callosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using entomopathogenic nematodes

Phlyctinus callosus (Schönherr), the banded fruit weevil, is a key pest of deciduous fruit and grapevine in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), as a biocontrol agent, are found to be effective in controlling both soilborne and above‐ground insect pests. Different EPN species were screened for virulence against different life stages of P. callosus, followed by a field trial, in which Steinernema yirgalemense was applied at different concentrations. S. yirgalemense, Heterorhabditis noenieputensis and the exotic Steinernema feltiae gave good control of P. callosus larvae at 100 infective juveniles per insect, with no significant difference between treatments. In the case of P. callosus pupae, Heterorhabditis indica (70%) and Heterorhabditis baujardi (67%) differed significantly (P