The tolerance and efficacy of new species of Entomopathogenic Nematode (EPN), Steinernema dharanaii(TFRIEPN-15) to some selected common and modern nine chemical pesticides (Endosulphan, Monocrotophos, Chlorpyriphos, Dimethoate, Imidacloprid, Thiaomethoxam, Carbaryl, Phorate and Methyl parathions) has been reported for the combined application under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) against forest insect pests. The freshly Infected Juveniles (IJs) of S. dharanaii were exposed to the desired concentration of commonly available chemical pesticides ranging from, lower to higher concentration for 72 hours and data on the survival in IJs was recorded. The infectivity of surviving IJs was tested against wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella in the laboratory. The results indicated that the IJs of S. dharanaii were compatible to most of pesticides tested even in concentration higher than recommended doses in terms of survival and further infectivity. The findings suggest that the EPNs with better compatibility with the tested pesticides may serve as viable candidates for integrated pest management (IPM), however the doses of pesticides be kept as low as possible to achieve the better results.
