Control de delia platura (diptera: anthomyiidae) en un cultivo comercial de espinaca con steinernema sp. cepa jcl027 (rhabditida: steinernematidae)

We evaluated the level of control of Delia platura (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) by Steinernema sp. strain JCL027 in commercial spinach production. Three crop phenological stages were evaluated separately: germination, development, and harvest. At the beginning of each stage, applications were made as follows: 0, 5 x 10², 1 x 10³, 2 x 10³, 4 x 10³ and 8 x 10³ JIs/plant and a chemical control (Monitor). Application of Steinernema sp. strain JCL027 during germination, development, and harvest, reduced crop damages by 40 to 50% at the 8 x 10³ IJs/plant dose, compared to chemical control. Regarding the persistence in field, 20% of infective juveniles can be recovered starting from the dose of 2x10³ IJs /plant. Steinernema sp. strain JCL027 is an alternative to control the seed fly and can be integrated into management strategies for spinach in Colombia.