Control biològic del diable de l'avellaner, Curculio nucum L. (Coleoptera, Curculioniade) mitjançant organismes entomopatogens (nematodos i fongs)

(..) The principal aim of this project is to isolate and evaluate natie entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi to be used as biological control agents against this hazelnuts pest. The specific objectives of this project are: -Isolation of native entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi from soils in hazelnut fields of traditional crops, IPM and organic farming. -Identification, characterization and selection of the appropriates species/strains of entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi. -Evaluation of the virulence of the entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi against the different stages of the insect (larva, pupa and adult), and the effect of combining both entomopathogenic organism, under laboratory conditions. -To confirm the outcome of the laboratory experiments under fiels conditions, and to improve the application procedure in the field for each life stage of the insect. Results iof the project will achieve a major knowledge of the entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenoc fungi of hazelnut solis in Spain. The results of the project also will allow to have available a collection of species/strains of nematodes and fungi to be used, in a future, as biological control agents against other insect pests in different crops. But mainly the results would give a solution to the pest problem caused by Curculio nucum in hazelnut, favouring the development of a high quality organic hazelnut with a great added value, allowing to sustain this traditional crop with economic, social and environmental importance in Catalonia