Zur Biologie und biologischen Bekämpfung des Tabakkäfers,Epithrix hirtipennis Melsh. (Col., Chrysomelidae)in Italien

Epithrix hirtipennis Melsh. is a relatively new insect pest in South Europe on tobacco. Observations reported here on its biology and behaviour differ in some pattern from those in the North American population. For the control of TFB (Tabac Flea Beetle) big amount of chemical insecticides are used, consequently there is a requirement for alternative methods. Experiments were carried out withB. thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki and ssp.tenebrionis, Beauveria bassiana, Steinernema carpocapsae andHeterorhabditis sp. in laboratory, semifield and field conditions. The results show that in summertime against the adults by help ofBac. thur. tenebrionis in principle a successful biological control ofE. hirtipennis seems to be possible.