scholarly journals Entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents in New Zealand agriculture: a case study

2008 ◽  
pp. 171-175
Author(s):  
N.L. Bell ◽  
L.T. Aalders ◽  
T.C. Rohan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Control Soil ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Wax Moth

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been used experimentally to control insects in pastures and in this study we investigated the use of EPNs against clover root weevil. We tested the ability of two EPNs (Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis zealandica) to control soil-dwelling stages of clover root weevil in a Waikato pasture Keywords: Sitona lepidus, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, larvae, pupae, Galleria, wax moth

scholarly journals The effect of parasitism on clover root weevil flight capability

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
T.M. Eden ◽  
M. Donald ◽  
P.J. Gerard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Passive Dispersal ◽  
First Instar ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

The Irish strain of Microctonus aethiopoides was released in New Zealand in 2006 to help suppress populations of the clover pest clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) A study was undertaken to determine if this parasitoid will be passively dispersed through flight activity by parasitized hosts In the laboratory Irish M aethiopoides parasitized equally hosts with or without flight muscles and subsequent presence of parasitoid eggs or first instar larvae had no effect on the propensity for S lepidus to prepare to take flight during laboratory observations In the field significantly fewer clover root weevil with flight muscles were found to be parasitized compared to those without flight muscles and those that were parasitized contained predominantly eggs and first instar larvae The results were compared with other Microctonus biocontrol agents released in New Zealand and it was concluded that passive dispersal should play a major role in dispersing Irish M aethiopoides in New Zealand especially in warm dry summers

scholarly journals The potential of entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents for clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus)

2000 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 48-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.L Bell ◽  
T.A. Jackson ◽  
T.L. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Adult Development ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Pot Experiments ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Potential Use

The efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis zealandica H bacteriophora Steinernema carpocapsae and S feltiae against clover root weevil (CRW) larvae and pupae was determined in petri dish and pot experiments Field collected third instar (L3)pupal CRW immature stages were used and experiments were conducted in a controlled environment room at 18C Weevil survival and development was assessed 7 and 10 days after nematode inoculation for petri and pot experiments respectively All nematodes significantly reduced CRW survival and all except S feltiae prevented adult development Under the conditions used in this study Heterorhabditis spp were generally more effective than Steinernema spp Results are discussed in terms of the potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents for this clover pest

Effects of various stress factors on heat tolerance by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae

Nematology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anwar Bilgrami ◽  
Randy Gaugler
Keyword(s):  
Heat Tolerance ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Better Than

AbstractCentrifugation, desiccation, agitation, and handling of entomopathogenic nematodes in the laboratory during isolation, culture, storage, formulation and experimentation, influences nematode ability to tolerate adverse environmental conditions. Stress imposed by centrifugation (5-60 min), desiccation (3-9 days), agitation (3-24 h), and handling (2-10 times) reduced stress and heat tolerance in Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae. Short durations of stresses (e.g., 5 min of centrifugation, 3-5 days of desiccation, 3 h of agitation and 2-4 times of handling) did not affect nematodes, whereas prolonged durations (e. g., 10-60 min of centrifugation, 7-9 days of desiccation, 6-24 h of agitation and 6-10 times of handling) significantly decreased heat tolerance. Steinernema carpocapsae tolerated stress comparatively better than H. bacteriophora by showing a significantly greater degree of heat tolerance. This study provides a basis to investigate further the effects of physical and chemical stresses in order to minimise handling of laboratory nematodes and reduce disruptions of their normal function and behaviour.

Use of species-specific satellite DNAs as diagnostic probes in the identification of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae entomopathogenic nematodes

Parasitology ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Grenier ◽  
E. Bonifassi ◽  
P. Abad ◽  
C. Laumond
Keyword(s):  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
Infective Juvenile ◽  
Satellite Dnas ◽  
Satellite Sequences ◽  
Species Specific

SUMMARYThree satellite DNAs previously isolated from the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis indicus give hybridization signals only with the S. carpocapsae, H. bacteriophora and H. indicus populations tested, indicating that these satellite sequences are species-specific. Because of their reiteration and their variabilities, we have shown that these sequences are able to discriminate at the interspecific level between the Steinernema and Heterorhabditis species, but also at the intraspecific level between S. carpocapsae strains. Furthermore, in simple squashed nematode experiments, we are able to unambiguously identify S. carpocapsae, H. bacteriophora and H. indicus populations. This last procedure is effective even on a single infective juvenile, with the main advantage that it avoids time-consuming DNA extractions.

Changes in foraging behaviour during the infective stage of entomopathogenic nematodes

Parasitology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Lewis ◽  
S. Selvan ◽  
J. F. Campbell ◽  
R. Gaugler
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Foraging Strategy ◽  
Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Infective Juvenile ◽  
Infective Stage ◽  
Energy Reserves

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.

Effect of recycling temperature on the infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 2137-2141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganpat B. Jagdale ◽  
Roger Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
Steinernema Feltiae ◽  
Wax Moth

Four strains of entomopathogenic nematodes were recycled in vivo for 2 years at temperatures ranging from 10 to 25 °C, then the infectivity of their infective juveniles was compared. Infectivity was examined by measuring LC50 values for wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae at bioassay temperatures ranging from 5 to 25 °C. Of the four strains examined, only the Umeå and NF strains of Steinernema feltiae that had been recycled at 10 °C infected and killed the insects at a bioassay temperature of 5 °C. The Steinernema carpocapsae All and Steinernema riobravis TX strains were infective at 10 °C only when the recycling temperature was ≤ 20 °C. The infectivity of the two strains of S. feltiae at 10 or 15 °C was compromised by propagating them at higher temperatures (20–25 °C). The Umeå strain of S. feltiae displayed an impaired capacity to infect hosts at higher temperatures (20–25 °C) when recycled at lower (≤ 15 °C) temperatures. The capacity of these nematodes to adjust to different recycling temperatures is discussed in relation to their infectivity in different field situations.

scholarly journals Farmer response to minirelease strategy for the clover root weevil biocontrol agent

2010 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 283-283
Author(s):  
P.J. Gerard ◽  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
T.M. Eden
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

The Irish wasp Microctonus aethiopoides was released in 2006 as a biocontrol agent for the clover root weevil Sitona lepidus a serious pest of white clover in New Zealand Following the successful and very rapid establishment of the Irish wasp there was high demand by farmers for the biocontrol Around 2000 minirelease samples were distributed directly to farmers through pastoral industry networks and field days These consisted of ten fieldcollected weevils exposed to the wasp in the laboratory at parasitism rates such that over 99 of samples contained parasitoids A random subsample of 100 recipient dairy farmers was surveyed subsequently by post with 59 responses The minireleases were well received most going to farmers that had previously experienced losses due to the weevil The mini releases were very effective in terms of getting the biocontrol to farms with 92 of insects arriving in good condition and 96 being released on the same day The farmers appeared receptive of the information provided with the samples indicating the project was successful in terms of technology transfer There was good recognition of DairyNZ with 79 showing awareness of the organisations funding enabling the biocontrol research

Mortality Response of Green June Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to Four Species of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L. Townsend ◽  
Don C. Steinkraus ◽  
Donn T. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mortality Response ◽  
Green June Beetle

Four species of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (All strain), S. feltiae (Filipjev) (NC strain), S. glaseri (Steiner), and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, were tested in the laboratory for their effect on larvae of the green June beetle, Cotinus nitida L. When nematodes were injected into the foregut of larvae (ca. 1,000 nematodes per larva), S. carpocapsae, S. feltiae, S. glaseri, and H. bacteriophora caused similar mortality (65, 45, 65, and 63%, respectively). At a concentration of 10 nematodes per larva, S. carpocapsae produced significantly higher mortality (51%) than the other three nematode species. Increasing nematode concentrations resulted in only a slight increase in mortality of larvae injected perorally with any of the four nematode species. Water filtrates from whole nematodes or ground nematode tissue supernatants from S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora injected perorally into the alimentary tract did not kill green June beetle larvae. Thus, live nematodes appeared to be necessary to cause mortality. Subcuticular or peroral injections of S. carpocapsae or H. bacteriophora (1,000 nematodes per larva) produced similar mortality of green June beetle larvae ranging from 60 to 70%. Nematode-killed larvae were dissected (n=277) but only two cadavers contained live nematodes and nematodes did not successfully reproduce in any nematode-killed green June beetle larvae. Possible explanations for the failure of cadavers to produce nematode progeny are discussed.

scholarly journals A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in the north-west of Iran

Nematology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naser Eivazian Kary ◽  
Gholamreza Niknam ◽  
Seyed Abolgasem Mohammadi ◽  
Christine Griffin ◽  
Mohammad Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽  
Steinernema Feltiae ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
First Time

AbstractDuring 2002-2004, a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted for the first time in Iran throughout the three provinces in the north-west of the country. Soil samples were tested for the presence of steinernematid and heterorhabditid nematodes by baiting with Galleria mellonella larvae. Of the 833 soil samples studied 27 were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes (3.2%), with 17 (2.0%) containing Heterorhabditis and ten (1.2%) Steinernema isolates. Morphological and molecular studies were carried out to characterise isolates. The Heterorhabditis isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema as Steinernema carpocapsae, S. bicornutum and S. feltiae. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was the most common species, which was isolated from 17 sites across the three provinces. Steinernema feltiae was the most common species of Steinernema, which was isolated from eight sites but in only two provinces. Steinernema carpocapsae and S. bicornutum were each isolated from only one site. Steinernema spp. were isolated mainly from orchards and grasslands but Heterorhabditis was isolated mainly from grasslands and alfalfa fields.

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