Hierarchical order of host cues in parasite foraging strategies

Parasitology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Lewis ◽  
P. S. Grewal ◽  
R. Gaugler

SUMMARYThe importance of host cues to three species of steinernematid nematodes (Rhabdita: Steinernematidae) with different foraging strategies was compared. We presented host materials to nematodes in series to test responses to combinations of host cues. If a fixed hierarchy of cues is followed during foraging, parasites should respond most strongly to cues offered in natural order. Steinernema carpocapsae, an ambush forager, aggregated at the source of volatile host cues only after attachment to host cuticle. They also parasitized hosts more efficiently after contact with cuticle. Steinernema glaseri, a cruise forager, was unaffected by exposure to combinations of host cues. Steinernema feltiae, a nematode with characteristics of both ambushing and cruising, was affected by cue hierarchies when either contact or volatile cues were presented first. Host-associated materials encountered out of the context may not qualify as host cues for the ambush forager, S. carpocapsae. Perhaps the order in which cues are encountered is more predictable for ambushers than for cruisers. Therefore an ambusher's response to host materials has a more fixed contextual framework.

Parasitology ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.E. Lewis ◽  
R. Gaugler ◽  
R. Harrison

SUMMARYSearch behaviour of two entomopathogenic nematode species with different foraging strategies was compared by measuring parameters of unrewarded search after contact with host cues. Steinernema glaseri cruises in search of hosts. Steinernema carpocapsae ambushes hosts. Nematodes should respond to contact with relevant host cues by shifting their search from ranging to localized after contact with them. We predicted that cruising foragers rely on chemical cues more heavily than ambushers. These species were also tested for host affinities. Nematodes were tracked by image analysis after exposure to faeces, cuticle or food of either Popillia japonica or Spodoptera exiqua. Steinernema glaseri responded to selected host cues by shifting from ranging to localized search, characterized by decreased locomotory rate, distance travelled, search area and the proportion of the test period spent moving. Steinernema carpocapsae did not respond to host cues. Steinernema glaseri responds to selected chemical host cues for host location, whereas S. carpocapsae does not.


Parasitology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Grewal ◽  
E. E. Lewis ◽  
R. Gaugler ◽  
J. F. Campbell

SUMMARYForaging strategies of eight species of entomopathogenic nematodes were predicted from their response to host volatile cues and dispersal behaviour on 2-dimensional substrates. Positive directional response to chemical cues and similar distances travelled on smooth (agar) or nictation substrates (agar overlaid with sand grains) by Heterorhabditis bacterio-phora, Heterorhabditis megidis, Steinernema anomali, and Steinernema glaseri suggest their cruising approach to finding hosts. The absence of directional response and less distance travelled on nictation substrate, than on smooth agar by Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema scapterisci suggest their ambushing mode of foraging. Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema sp. responded directionally to host volatiles, but travelled less distance on the nictation substrate than on smooth agar; the two species also did not nictate. The cruiser species located hosts more effectively in the sand columns, whereas the ambushers were more effective at finding hosts on filter paper. Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema sp. performed equally on filter paper and in the sand column. We conclude that H. bacteriophora, H. megidis, S. anomali and S. glaseri cruise to find hosts, whereas S. carpocapsae and S. scapterisci ambush hosts. Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema sp. are intermediary in the search continuum sharing some characteristics of both ambush and cruise foragers.


1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin E. Lewis ◽  
Randy Gaugler ◽  
Robert Harrison

Two species of entomopathogenic nematodes, an ambush forager (Steinernema carpocapsae) and a cruising forager (S. glaseri), were assayed for their responses to volatiles associated with Galleria mellonella (Insecta: Lepidoptera). The responses of entomopathogenic nematodes to six host-associated volatile treatments were assayed. Live G. mellonella, live G. mellonella with the cuticular hydrocarbons removed, live G. mellonella with carbon dioxide removed, dead G. mellonella, dead G. mellonella with the cuticular hydrocarbons removed, and volatiles from S. exiqua feces were assayed in a Y-tube choice aparatus. Steinernema glaseri were attracted only to treatments producing carbon dioxide. Steinernema carpocapsae showed no significant response to any treatments tested. To assess the directionality of the response toward live G. mellonella, net average movement per nematode after 5, 10, and 20 min was measured for both nematode species. The assay method was based on the "quadrant plate" bioassay, with a 9 cm Petri dish containing 2% agar. Steinernema carpocapsae showed little directionality of response, whereas S. glaseri was attracted to carbon dioxide. We conclude that carbon dioxide attracts S. glaseri to areas likely to hold hosts. Ambush foragers are less influenced by cues associated with hosts or their habitat.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
Andressa Lima de Brida ◽  
Silvia Renata Siciliano Wilcken ◽  
Luis Garrigós Leite

Nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEPs) são alternativas eficientes para o controle de pragas. O emprego de novas técnicas da produção in vivo, permite o progresso da tecnologia de formulação de bioinseticidas. O objetivo do trabalho, foi avaliar a influência da luminosidade e do substrato na capacidade de infecção de juvenis infectantes (JIs) de Steinernema brazilense IBCBn 06, Steinernema carpocapsae IBCBn 02, Steinernema feltiae IBCBn 47 e Heterorhabditis amazonensis IBCBn 24 em lagartas de Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e oito repetições. As parcelas, constituídas por placa de Petri com, substrato-areia e substrato-papel filtro, com e sem luminosidade, inoculados com suspensão de 1,5 mL contendo 400JIs e quatro lagartas de G. mellonella. O número de JIs foi quantificado após a mortalidade das lagartas. A taxa de infecção de JIs de S. carpocapsae IBCBn 02 e S. feltiae IBCBn 47 variaram de 2,14 a 3,28 e de 11,04 a 13,09 JIs/lagarta. O substrato-areia com e sem luminosidade permitiu a maior taxa de infeção dos JIs de S. brazilense IBCBn 06 de 7,86 e 9,44 JIs/lagarta, e 13,49 JIs/lagarta com luminosidade para H. amazonensis IBCBn 24. O substrato-areia, permite a maior taxa de infecção por JIs de NEPs.


Nematology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dammini Premachandra ◽  
Christian Borgemeister ◽  
Oliver Berndt ◽  
Ralf-Udo Ehlers ◽  
Hans-Michael Poehling

Abstract The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) was evaluated in a laboratory trial against soil-dwelling stages, late second instar larvae and pupal stages of western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. Among the six EPN strains assessed for the first time, Steinernema feltiae (Nemaplus®) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HD01) caused 65 and 59% mortality, respectively. Steinernema carpocapsae (Agriotos) and S. arenarium (Anomali) caused moderate mortality (40-45%) while Steinernema spp. (Morocco) and H. bacteriophora (Nematop®) had little effect. In a dose response study with concentrations of 100, 400 and 800 infective juveniles (IJ) per cm2 soil of H. bacteriophora (HK3), S. feltiae (Nemaplus®) and H. bacteriophora (HD01), mortality increased only up to 400 IJ cm-2. The rate of infectivity of H. bacteriophora (HK3) and S. feltiae (Nemaplus®) indicated that both strains could survive at least 6 days in the soil and infect WFT immature stages.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. e37047
Author(s):  
Sandra Mara Chaneiko ◽  
Andressa Lima de Brida ◽  
Daniel Bernardi ◽  
Luis Garrigós Leite ◽  
Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) is one of the main pests of fruit farming, and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) represent an important control tool of this species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of different isolate against A. fraterculus larvae and adults. Bioassays were performed using a suspension of three isolates of Heterorhabditis amazonensis IBCB 24, Steinernema carpocapsae IBCB 02 and Steinernema feltiae IBCB 47 at six concentrations (control - without nematodes), 50, 150, 300, 500, 1000 and 1500 infective juveniles (IJs)/mL of water per 3º instar larvae. It was verified the susceptibility of larvae of A. fraterculus to isolates of EPNs and a significant increase of the pupal mortality in the function of the concentration of IJs inoculated by larva (above 75%). After the dissection of pupae and adults of A. fraterculus from infected larvae, the concentration of 1500 IJs/mL of EPNs provided the highest rate of multiplication of IJs by insect, equating to maximum concentration tested 1500 IJs/mL. Adults of A. fraterculus from larvae infected with EPNs longevity of five days, being less than adults from uninfected larvae by IJs (135 days). H. amazonensis IBCB 24, S. carpocapsae IBCB 02, and S. feltiae IBCB 47 proved to be promising as agents of biological control of A. fraterculus.


Parasitology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Lewis ◽  
S. Selvan ◽  
J. F. Campbell ◽  
R. Gaugler

SUMMARYStudies of foraging strategies are often complicated by competing goals of the forager. In contrast, non-feeding infective juvenile entomopathogenic nematodes forage exclusively for a single host. Two questions were posed: (1) what is the relationship between metabolic rate, energy reserves and foraging strategy and (2) when a foraging strategy fails, will an infective-stage parasite switch strategies? Three species of entomopathogenic nematodes were stored in water and changes in their behaviour, metabolic rate, energy reserves, and infectivity were measured throughout the storage period. Steinernema carpocapsae ambushes insect hosts, whereas S. glaseri and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora cruise forage. Steinernema carpocapsae was least active and had the lowest metabolic rate. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was more active and had the highest metabolic rate. Steinernema glaseri was most active and had an intermediate metabolic rate. Neither cruising species changed foraging strategy. Steinernema carpocapsae decreased nictation (a behaviour associated with ambushing only) and increased their locomotory rate. Any change in searching strategy occurred without assessment of the profitability or distribution of potential hosts, but the advantage this confers is unknown.


Parasitology ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Campbell ◽  
E. Lewis ◽  
F. Yoder ◽  
R. Gaugler

SUMMARYUnderstanding the temporal and spatial distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes is essential for determining the role of these insect parasites in soil communities and ultimately for their use in suppression of pest insect populations. We measured the vertical and horizontal distribution of endemic populations of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophord) in turfgrass. Vertical distribution was determined by taking soil cores every 3 h from 05.00 to 23.00 h, over 4 days, and dividing the cores into 8, 1 cm deep sections. Steinernema carpocapsae was recovered primarily near the soil surface: 50% of positive sections were recovered in the thatch or first 1 cm of soil. S. carpocapsae recovery was lower during the middle of the day and none were recovered in the upper section. H. bacteriophora was recovered uniformly throughout the top 8 cm of soil and its vertical distribution did not change over the course of the day. Horizontal distribution was measured as the number of nematodes recovered from cores taken from 12 randomly selected 0·3 × 0·8 m sections from within four 15·3 × 15·3 m plots. Samples were collected biweekly over a 9-month period. H. bacteriophora had a patchier distribution than S. carpocapsae and both nematode species had more patchy distributions then their potential hosts. Our results support the hypothesis that these two species of nematode utilize different foraging strategies; S. carpocapsae primarily a surface adapted ambusher and H. bacteriophora as a cruise forager.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document