Biocontrol of the banana root borer weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), with Steinernemotid nematodes

The entomogenous nematodes Steinernema feltiae Filipjev ( = Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser), S. glaseri Steiner, and S. bibionis Bobien (Steinernematidae: Rhabditida) were evaluated as biological control agents against the banana root borer weevil Cosmopolites sordidus. In the grub stage this weevil bore tunnels in the corms of plantains thereby promoting infection and plant decay. In petri-dish trials the three species produced severe mortality at population densities of 4,000 and 40,000 nematodes. Similarly, in greenhouse tests, the three nematode species at rates of 400, 4,000, and 40,000 nematodes/4-month-old plants apparently reduced the number of tunnels produced by the grub. Grub mortality was 100% at nematode populations of 4,000 and 40,000 per plant.

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Influence of application technique on the viability of the biological control agents Verticillium lecanii and Steinernema feltiae

Crop Protection ◽

10.1016/s0261-2194(98)00095-7 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 53-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

U. Nilsson ◽

E. Gripwall

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Steinernema Feltiae ◽

Verticillium Lecanii ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Application Technique

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Screening of entomopathogenic nematodes for virulence against the invasive western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Europe

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1079/ber2005379 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 95 (5) ◽

pp. 473-482 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

S. Toepfer ◽

C. Gueldenzoph ◽

R.-U. Ehlers ◽

U. Kuhlmann

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematode ◽

Larval Mortality ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera ◽

Western Corn Rootworm ◽

Corn Rootworm ◽

Diabrotica Virgifera ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Steinernema Glaseri

AbstractEntomopathogenic nematode species available in Europe were screened for their efficacy against both the root-feeding larvae and silk-feeding adults of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Laboratory screening tests were aimed at the selection of candidate biological control agents for the management of this invasive alien pest in Europe. Steinernema glaseri, S. arenarium, S. abassi, S. bicornutum, S. feltiae, S. kraussei, S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were studied to determine their virulence against third instar larvae and adults of D. v. virgifera in small-volume arenas (using nematode concentrations of 0.5, 0.8, 7.9 and 15.9 infective juveniles cm–2). All nematode species were able to invade and propagate in D. v. virgifera larvae, but adults were rarely infected. At concentrations of 7.9 and 15.9 cm–2, S. glaseri, S. arenarium, S. abassi and H. bacteriophora caused the highest larval mortality of up to 77%. Steinernema bicornutum, S. abassi, S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora appeared to have a high propagation level, producing 5970±779, 5595±811, 5341±1177 and 4039±1025 infective juveniles per larva, respectively. Steinernema glaseri, S. arenarium, S. feltiae, S. kraussei and H. bacteriophora were further screened at a concentration of 16.7 nematodes cm–2 against third instar larvae in medium-volume arenas (sand-filled trays with maize plants). Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, S. arenarium and S. feltiae caused the highest larval mortality with 77±16.6%, 67±3.5%, and 57±17.1%, respectively. In a next step, criteria for rating the entomopathogenic nematode species were applied based on results obtained for virulence and propagation, and for current production costs and availability in Europe. These criteria were then rated to determine the potential of the nematodes for further field testing. Results showed the highest potential in H. bacteriophora, followed by S. arenarium and S. feltiae, for further testing as candidate biological control agents.

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Virulence of Native and Exotic Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinerematidae, Heterorhabditidae) Against Larvae of the Agave Weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.4.832a ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 832A-832 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jaime Molina-Ochoa* ◽

Eva Judith Hueso-Guerrero ◽

Roberto Lezama-Gutiérrez ◽

Javier Farías-Larios ◽

Francisco Radillo-Juárez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Petri Dish ◽

Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora ◽

Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽

Agave Tequilana ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Cryptic Habitats ◽

Mexican Strains

The agave weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal) (AW) is widely distributed and is severe pest of plants in the Order Liliales, Familiy Agavaceae, such as Agave tequilana, A. fourcroydes, A. sisalana, A. sp., Polianthes tuberosa, and Yucca sp. Some of these species have importance as ornamental, medicinal, fragrant essence, and raw fiber. AW is controlled with insecticides, but insecticides are unable to reach the larvae in the galleries where the larvae borrows the agave crowns. Galleries are cryptic habitats where the entomopathogenic nematodes are able to infect instars of the AW. Recently, Hueso-Guerrero, and Molina-Ochoa (2004) reported the occurrence of native steinernematid nematodes naturally infecting the AW larvae. Virulence of isolates and strains of steinernematid and heterorhabditid nematodes against AW larvae was determined under laboratory conditions. Three native steinernematid isolates obtained from naturally infected AW larvae (A1, A2, and A3) were bioassayed a concentration of 100 nematodes/mL and petri dish (60 × 10 mm) arenas. Native isolates were isolated from AW larvae attacking agave crowns. Other strains evaluated were: S. carpocapsae All and Mexican, S. riobrave, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora NC2. Native steinernematid isolates caused 100% mortality, however exotic strains caused mortality ranges between 90%, and 40%. Steinernema carpocapsae All strain, S. riobrave, H. bacteriophora NC2, and S. carpocapsae Mexican strains caused 90%, 60%, 50%, and 40% mortality, respectively. Results suggest that native steinernematid isolates, and S. carpocapsae All strain have potential as biological control agents against the AW weevil.

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Entomopathogenic nematodes: A tool in biocontrol of insect pests of vegetables-A review

Agricultural Reviews ◽

10.18805/ag.v38i02.7945 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (02) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gitanjali Devi ◽

Dhrubajyoti Nath

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematode ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Isolation And Identification ◽

Identification Technique

Biological control agents have become increasingly important component in integrated pest management programme. Entomopathogenic nematodes are effective biological control agents for many important insect pests of vegetable crops. Therefore entomopathogenic nematodes are gaining attention in the field of biocontrol research worldwide. With the development and improvement of isolation and identification technique many novel species and strains have been utilized for management of several insect pests. This review aims to explore the potentiality of entomopathogenic nematode species against economically important insect pest of vegetables in India as well as in other countries.

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Parasitism of entomophilic nematodes on the sugarcane rootstalk borer, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) (Coleoptera:Curculionidae), larvae

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v74i2.6552 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 197-202

Author(s):

Wilfredo Figueroa ◽

Jesse Román

Keyword(s):

Direct Contact ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Steinernema Feltiae ◽

Population Densities ◽

Diaprepes Abbreviatus ◽

Greenhouse Experiments ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Petri Dishes ◽

Significant Mortality

Ten greenhouse experiments tested the effectiveness of the entomophilic nematodes Steinernema feltiae Filipjev, S. glaseri Weiser, and S. bibionis Bobien against larvae of the sugarcane rootstalk borer, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.). S. feltiae caused mortality to 12- to 16-week-old D. abbreviatus larvae at population densities of 1,000 to 3,000 nematodes/ 300 cm3 of soil. Four hundred S. glaseri or S. bibionis also caused significant mortality of the grubs. An increase of 4,000 to 40,000 S. glaseri/300 cm3 of soil increased mortality of the grubs. S. bibionis infectivity decreased with time, and high rates of mortality of the infective juveniles were recorded under laboratory conditions. When grubs were placed in petri dishes in direct contact with the nematodes before placing the infected grubs in soil, the mortality was independent of the density or nematode species used. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the entomophilic nematodes and their potential for biocontrol of D. abbreviatus.

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Population dynamics of the thrips predators Amblyseius mckenziei and Amblyseius cucumeris (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) on sweet pepper.

Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.18174/njas.v36i3.16676 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 247-252

Author(s):

P.M.J. Ramakers

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Population Dynamics ◽

Sweet Pepper ◽

Thrips Tabaci ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Population Densities ◽

Neoseiulus Cucumeris ◽

Phytoseiid Mites ◽

Amblyseius Cucumeris ◽

Mixed Populations

The population dynamics of 2 predacious phytoseiid mites as potential biological control agents against thrips were investigated on sweet peppers [Capsicum annuum] in a greenhouse in the Netherlands, where the prey was predominantly a spontaneous outbreak of Thrips tabaci. Amblyseius cucumeris [Neoseiulus cucumeris] established more easily and reached higher population densities than A. mckenziei. Mixed populations of both predators were observed for several generations, but eventually A. mckenziei was superseded by N. cucumeris. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Quality Assessment of Two Commercially Available Species of Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis indica

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.18.1.84 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 84-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Erick X. Caamano ◽

Raymond A. Cloyd ◽

Leellen F. Solter ◽

Declan J. Fallon

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematode ◽

Field Performance ◽

End Users ◽

Steinernema Feltiae ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Heterorhabditis Indica ◽

Percent Survival

The quality of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) is critical to their success as biological control agents, but it is difficult to evaluate quality because standard procedures are not available. Generally, the quality of biological control agents is determined by field performance because end users may have minimal knowledge pertaining to the condition of biological control agents before application. This study assessed the variability in quality of commercially available EPN products. The authors evaluated preapplication survival of five EPN formulations, Steinernema feltiae (NemaShield, Nemasys, Gnat Not, Horticultural Scanmask), and Heterorhabditis indica (GrubStake-Hi), based on eight shipments/samples of each EPN product received during a 5-month period (July to November). The estimated total number of EPN delivered per shipment (i.e., sample) was compared with the expected quantity listed on the label, and percent live EPN was determined for each shipment. One-half of the shipments of Gnat Not (four of eight) contained 40% to 70% of the number of EPN expected based on the label (25 million). The remaining shipments contained consistently higher numbers, with 99% of the expected quantity of EPN received. Entomopathogenic nematode mean percent survival was highest for Nemasys (98%) and lowest for Horticultural Scanmask (56%). The overall mean percent survival for Gnat Not and GrubStake-Hi, both from the same supplier, was more than 85%. Survival of EPN in the NemaShield product was as low as 50%, but was typically between 65% and 75%. NemaShield and Nemasys were the only two EPN products that provided return policy information if the product was damaged in any way. It is important for distributors and suppliers to ensure that EPN products are in quality condition before shipping to avoid performance failures and loss of customers. In addition, end users need to evaluate shipments upon receipt to determine the viability of EPN products.

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Yellow Brazilian Pepper-tree Leaf Galler (suggested common name) Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt (Insecta: Hemiptera: Calophyidae: Calophyinae)

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-in1186-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (6) ◽

Author(s):

James P. Cuda ◽

Patricia Prade ◽

Carey R. Minteer-Killian

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

North America ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Host Plants ◽

Classical Biological Control ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Pepper Tree ◽

Brazilian Pepper ◽

Close Relatives ◽

Tree Leaf

In the late 1970s, Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), was targeted for classical biological control in Florida because its invasive properties (see Host Plants) are consistent with escape from natural enemies (Williams 1954), and there are no native Schinus spp. in North America. The lack of native close relatives should minimize the risk of damage to non-target plants from introduced biological control agents (Pemberton 2000). [...]

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