Effect of Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora on Galleria mellonella in Bee Hives of Apis mellifera

Abstract

Wax worms caused economically damage in storage wax, chemicals which uses in control caused bad effect on stored bee honey inside combs. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of different inoculum levels of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Hb (100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 IJs/ml) on wax worms Galleria mellonella (Gm), larvae and adult of honey bees Apis mellifera inside the bee hives for one and two times. The highest mortality percentage were 90% and 100% when 5000 IJs/ml. were used for once and twice respectively. On the other hand, the EPNs didn’t effect on larvae or adult of honey bees. The initial population (Pi), final population (Pf) and rate of reproduction (Rr) were affected with the increasing of EPNs inoculum levels and duplication of treatment. The Pi was 648.00 and 766.67/insect cadaver at 5000 IJs for one time and two times. The highest Pf was 61083.33 and 246166.7 when 2000 IJs were used for one and two times respectively in conclusion, the high concentration of EPNs cause 100% mortality for G, Mellonella and there is no side effect on larvae or adult of honey bees.