Disinfesting Blackcurrant Cuttings of Synanthedon tipuliformis1 , Using the Insect Parasitic Nematode, Neoaplectana bibionis2

Abstract

Neoaplectana bibionis Bovien was found to be considerably more effective for disinfesting blackcurrant cuttings of Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck) larvae than were two other insectparasitic rhabditid nematodes, Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser and Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Kahn et al.). This species of nematode caused 99.4 and 99.8% mortality of currant borer larvae in two commercial consignments of canes destined to establish some 12 ha of borer-free plantation. Spraying bundles of cuttings, stacked as a wall, with 30,000 N. bibionis infective juveniles per ml was found to be a feasible method for economically dis infesting blackcurrant cuttings on a commercial scale. No phytotoxic effects were observed following any of the treatments.