BIOPESTICIDAL EFFECT OF STEINERNEMA SP. ON LEPIDOPTERAN PEST HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETER ANALYSIS

The entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) are used effectively as Bio-pesticide against various pests. These soil dwelling nematodes can be recovered from various soil samples. In this present study EPN, recovered from Perur soil sample, was found to be Steinernema, and effectively killed the Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidopteran pest) within 48 hours of infection. The biochemical parameters (protein, carbohydrate and lipid amount) in EPN infected larvae showed a significant decrease compared to normal larvae