Entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents of insect pests in orchards.

Author(s):  
T Belien
2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarique H. Askary ◽  
Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad

Abstract Background The complex including entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their mutualistic partner, i.e., Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria, respectively possesses many attributes of ideal biological control agents against numerous insect pests as a third partner. Despite authenic opportunities for their practical use as biocontrol agents globally, they are challenged by major impediments especially their cost and reliability. Main body This review article presents major attributes of EPNs to familiarize growers and stakeholders with their careful application. As relatively high EPN costs and frequently low efficacy are still hindering them from reaching broader biopesticide markets, this is to review the latest findings on EPN strain/species enhancement, improvement of production, formulation and application technology, and achieving biological control of insects from the standpoint of facing these challenges. The conditions and practices that affected the use of EPNs for integrated pest management (IPM) are identified. Besides, efforts have been made to address such practices in various ways that grasp their effective approaches, identify research priority areas, and allow refined techniques. Additionally, sampling factors responsible for obtaining more EPN isolates with differential pathogenicity and better adaptation to control specific pest(s) are discussed. Conclusion Specific improvements of EPN production, formulation, and application technology are reviewed which may help in their broader use. Other diverse factors that optimize EPNs to constitute a cost-effective, value-added approach to IPM are also demonstrated.


2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Lara ◽  
Cláudia Dolinski ◽  
Elias Fernandes de Sousa ◽  
Rogério Figueiredo Daher

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are currently being used as successful biological control agents of soil-dwelling insect pests. Previous field and greenhouse studies demonstrated that application techniques and non-biotic factors (temperature and pressure) have a significant effect on EPNs efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of an irrigation spray application system on the viability, infectivity and host search capability of Heterorhabditis baujardi LPP7 (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) infective juveniles (IJ). Two assays were proposed. Their viability was evaluated under the microscope after the IJ passed through the irrigation system. Infectivity on Galleria mellonella larvae, and host search capability, as evidenced by larval mortality, were evaluated in containers (Experiment 1). In the field (Experiment 2), mortality of G. mellonella larvae was evaluated under different nematode concentrations (0, 100,000, 300,000 and 500,000 IJ per tree). No differences were recorded on the viability, infectivity and host search capability of the IJ in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, differences were recorded among the different concentrations used (p < 0.05), and a higher mortality was observed at the highest nematode concentration (28.3% and 37% in each one of the two experiment repetitions). This irrigation system did not affected adversely the viability, infectivity and host search capability of H. baujardi LPP7.


2009 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Howlett ◽  
G. Burch ◽  
U. Sarathchandra ◽  
N.L. Bell

Terrestrial slugs (Order Stylommatophora) can cause significant damage in cropping and pastoral systems Pathogenic microbes have long been shown to have potential as biocontrol agents for insect pests and a number of retail products are available but there is no equivalent product for molluscs A research program is underway to investigate the potential of micro organisms as slug biocontrol agents and this paper describes a bioassay methodology that can be used to assess the molluscicidal properties of bacterial isolates Its feasibility has been demonstrated in laboratory tests against pest slugs of the genus Deroceras Fourteen bacterial strains were screened by feeding them to the slugs in a mix based on oat bran a food that is highly palatable to these molluscs Mortality was assessed 3 and 4 days after introduction of the treated food Two of the bacterial strains tested resulted in significant mortality killing 100 slugs within 4 days


2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-79
Author(s):  
Chaerani Chaerani ◽  
Bebet Nurbaeti

Efficacy Tests of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Rhabditida:  Steinernema dan Heterorhabditis) as Non-endemic Natural Enemies of Yellow Rice stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas). Yellow rice stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) is a chronic insect pests of irrigated rice and difficult to control.  Entomopathogenic nematodes from the genus Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are promising biological control agents for this pest as their infective juveniles (IJs) are capable of seeking and infecting insect living in moist, cryptic habitat such as galleries created by stem borer larvae. Thirteen indigenous and exotic Steinernema and Heterorhabditis sprayed to rice seedlings in laboratory with nematodes at concentrations of 0.5 or 2.0×104 IJs ml-1 water caused larval mortality between 7–93%.  Further test in greenhouse on nematodes that had >50%  efficacy showed that an indigenous isolate, H. indicus INA H17, was the most effective among the tested nematodes in killing larvae or pupae (78%).  Reduction in plant damage caused by the insects could not be demonstrated as the trials was limited to potted plants. The survival ability of nematodes on rice plants was evaluated by using INA H4 as an example. A low percentage of INA H4 IJs (0.5%) persisted in inner leaf sheath until 7 days post application, while IJs on leaf surface and outer leaf sheath survived only until 2 and 48 hours post application, respectively. Improvement of application strategies including repeated spray, addition of antidessicant and adjusment of spray volume and application at damage threshold or plant critical period are deemed necessary to enhance nematode efficacy and reduce plant damage in the field.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 242-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamarija Jagodič ◽  
Stanislav Trdan ◽  
Žiga Laznik

Plants under herbivore attack emit mixtures of volatiles that can attract the natural enemies of the herbivores. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are organisms that can be used in the biological control of insect pests. Recent studies have shown that the movement of EPNs is associated with the detection of chemical stimuli from the environment. To date, several compounds that are responsible for the mediation in below ground multitrophic interactions have been identified. In the review, we discuss the use of EPNs in agriculture, the role of belowground volatiles and their use in plant protection programmes.


Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Javal ◽  
John S. Terblanche ◽  
Desmond E. Conlong ◽  
Antoinette P. Malan

Cacosceles newmannii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an emerging pest of sugarcane in South Africa. The larvae of this cerambycid beetle live within the sugarcane stalk and drill galleries that considerably reduce sugar production. To provide an alternative to chemical control, entomopathogenic nematodes and fungus were investigated as potential biological control agents to be used in an integrated pest management system. The nematodes Steinernema yirgalemense, S. jeffreyense, Heterorhabditis indica, and different concentrations of the fungus Metarhizium pinghaense were screened for efficacy (i.e., mortality rate) against larvae of C. newmannii. The different biocontrol agents used, revealed a low level of pathogenicity to C. newmannii larvae, when compared to control treatments.


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