The First Field Evaluation of Nuclear polyhedrosis Virus against Strawberry Pest, Pentodon algerinum (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and on the Strawberry Yield

Recently in Egypt, Pentodon algerinum destroys the strawberry plant. This study aimed to evaluate Spodoptera littoralis Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SpliNPV) and Pentodon algerinum Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (PNPV) for the first time against Pentodon third instar larvae in the field on Fortuna strawberry in Qalubia Governorate, and their impact on the strawberry yield for saving of the yield through controlling to find successful safe alternative control method against this pest. Before PNPV and SpliNPV treatments, the percent of plots infested by P. algerinum larvae ranged from (18.18 to 48.9%) and (18.0 to 22.73%), respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed that there were great significant differences between the %Infestation, %infestation reduction, and %healthy plants after PNPV & SpliNPV treatments compared to before treatments (the Probability (P) was 0.0 < 0.05). PNPV & SpliNPV have no significant difference in their effects (the Probability (P) was 1.0 > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in weight and price between (NPV virus treated infested strawberry and untreated infested strawberry (P=0.005)) and (healthy strawberry and untreated infested strawberry (P=0.004). While there was no significant difference between NPV virus treated infested strawberry and healthy strawberry in weight and price (P=0.761). These findings revealed that PNPV and SpliNPV were effective against this insect, and that this success allowed the plant to regain its strength and productivity, indicating that PNPV and SpliNPV are safe for this plant. As a result, PNPV and SpliNPV can be suggested as pest ecofriendly bio-control agents.