Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema kraussei to control the fruit fly larvae

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN’s) belongs to family Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae which are obligate parasites of various species of insect pests and used as a bio-control agent. Nematode juvenile enter through the natural opening of insect larvae’s and release the bacteria into the body of insect which release the toxic substances into the insect body and kill the insect larvae’s in 24-72 hours depends on the species of insect. The objective of current research was to check out the reproductive potential of EPN’s (Steinernema kraussei) on fruit fly larvae’s at different levels. The reproductive potential was recorded at different days (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), at different concentrations (100IJs, 200IJs, 300IJs and 500IJs) and different storage time (2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks) of culture. The maximum progeny was recorded 29367 at day 5 and at 500IJs concentration the maximum reproductive potential was recorded 30733 and the maximum population 40933 of nematode was recorded at 2 week old culture. So the results are clearly indicated that reproductive potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) was increased day by day, with the increased in concentration of nematode the population of nematodes (EPN’s) also increased but with the increased in storage time of EPN’s cultures the reproductive potential was decreased.