Effect of potting media on the efficacy and dispersal of entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Ansari ◽  
T.M. Butt
2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denny J. Bruck

Abstract The black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) is a serious pest of nursery crops, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. The fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (F52), has recently been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for BVW control. The objective of this study was to determine the persistence of M. anisopliae in five common soilless potting media components (coir, fir bark, hemlock bark, peat moss and perlite), which was measured as pathogenicity against BVW larvae. Fungal granules (½ lb/yd3) were incorporated with each media component at potting and fungal persistence determined for 133 days. Experiments were performed with and without plants to determine if the presence of a plant impacted fungal persistence. Overall, the fungus persisted well in all of the potting media components tested up to 133 days post application. Persistence was somewhat lower in the first experiment, likely due to fluctuating media moisture. In the second experiment, with more stable media moisture levels, the percentage of larval infection did not drop below 88% in any media at 133 days post application. It is likely that M. anisopliae will persist well and provide high levels of BVW larval control in most of the commercial potting media used in containerized nursery production, particularly those comprised primarily of the media components tested in these studies.


Author(s):  

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricius) Coleoptera: Culculionidae (vine weevil, strawberry, cyclamen or black vine weevil). Attacks strawberry, grapevine, Cyclamen. Information is given on the geographical distribution in Europe, Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, USSR, Russian SFSR, European USSR, Africa, St. Helena, Egypt, Asia, Japan, Australasia and Pacific Islands, Australia, Tasmania, Chatham Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, North America, Canada, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, USA, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, South America, Chile, Colombia.


Nematology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 925-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney Edmondson ◽  
Paul Richardson ◽  
Deena Willmott ◽  
Andrew Hart ◽  
Steve Long

AbstractThe susceptibility of overwintering black vine weevil larvae Otiorhynchus sulcatus to a cold-active entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema kraussei (isolate L137) and a commercial proprietary biopesticide, Steinernema carpocapsae (Exhibit) was assessed on outdoor potted strawberry plants. Nematodes were applied at a range of doses in early winter at a field site located in Warwickshire, England. Three months later, infestation and mortality of vine weevils were assessed. There was a clear dose response observed for S. kraussei applications. Up to 81% of vine weevil control was recorded by this nematode at the highest dose of 60 000 nematodes per pot, whereas treatments with S. carpocapsae caused no significant mortality at the dose rates used. Dissection of vine weevil larvae showed infective juveniles had developed to adults within the host. Recovery of nematodes at the end of the experiment indicated that S. kraussei (L137) was able to survive winter field conditions including prolonged exposure to low temperatures (averaging 2.7°C during the experiment) in contrast to S. carpocapsae which showed poor survival. Of the two extraction methods used, the Baermann funnel technique was found to be more efficient than Galleria mellonella baiting, with up to 44% of the original highest dose of S. kraussei nematodes being recovered by Baermann funnel compared to 8% with G. mellonella at 18°C. These results suggest S. kraussei (L137) has potential as a commercial biocontrol agent against O. sulcatus at low temperatures.


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