Entomopathogenic Nematodes – Save Biocontrol Agents for Sustainable Systems

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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Biological control of ticks

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182004005219 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 129 (S1) ◽

pp. S389-S403 ◽

Cited By ~ 94

Author(s):

M. SAMISH ◽

H. GINSBERG ◽

I. GLAZER

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Parasitoid Wasps ◽

Natural Conditions ◽

Potential Value ◽

Considerable Research ◽

Production Strategies ◽

Laboratory Results ◽

Selection Of

Ticks have numerous natural enemies, but only a few species have been evaluated as tick biocontrol agents (BCAs). Some laboratory results suggest that several bacteria are pathogenic to ticks, but their mode of action and their potential value as biocontrol agents remain to be determined. The most promising entomopathogenic fungi appear to be Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, strains of which are already commercially available for the control of some pests. Development of effective formulations is critical for tick management. Entomopathogenic nematodes that are pathogenic to ticks can potentially control ticks, but improved formulations and selection of novel nematode strains are needed. Parasitoid wasps of the genus Ixodiphagus do not typically control ticks under natural conditions, but inundative releases show potential value. Most predators of ticks are generalists, with a limited potential for tick management (one possible exception is oxpeckers in Africa). Biological control is likely to play a substantial role in future IPM programmes for ticks because of the diversity of taxa that show high potential as tick BCAs. Considerable research is required to select appropriate strains, develop them as BCAs, establish their effectiveness, and devise production strategies to bring them to practical use.

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Potential of entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents of immature stages of Aedes aegypti

Nematoda ◽

10.4322/nematoda.09015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Denise de Oliveira Cardoso ◽

Vicente Martins Gomes ◽

Claudia Dolinski ◽

Ricardo Moreira Souza

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Immature Stages

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Opportunities and challenges of entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents in their tripartite interactions

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control ◽

10.1186/s41938-021-00391-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tarique H. Askary ◽

Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Value Added ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Main Body ◽

Application Technology ◽

Tripartite Interactions ◽

Biological Control Of Insects

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.

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Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi to control Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae)

BioControl ◽

10.1007/s10526-020-10076-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abdelhameed Moussa ◽

Michael Maixner ◽

Dietrich Stephan ◽

Giacomo Santoiemma ◽

Alessandro Passera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Weed Management ◽

Host Plants ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Herbicide Application ◽

Isaria Fumosorosea ◽

Bois Noir ◽

Hyalesthes Obsoletus

AbstractHyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae) is a univoltine, polyphagous planthopper that completes its life cycle, including the subterranean nymph cryptic stage, on herbaceous weeds. In vineyards, it can transmit ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, an obligate parasitic bacterium associated with bois noir (BN) disease of grapevine, from its host plants to grapevine when occasionally feeding on the latter. The main disease management strategies are based on vector(s) control. Insecticide treatments on grapevine canopy are completely inefficient on H. obsoletus, due to its life cycle. Consequently, control of this planthopper focuses on the nymphs living on the roots of their host plants. Such practices, based on herbicide application and/or weed management, can reduce vector density in the vineyard but can impact the environment or may not be applicable, highlighting the necessity for alternative strategies. In this study, the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs; Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) and fungi (EPFs; Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Isaria fumosorosea, Lecanicillium muscarium) against H. obsoletus nymphs (EPNs) and adults (EPNs and EPFs) was assessed under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The majority of examined EPNs and EPFs were able to kill H. obsoletus exhibiting a range of effectiveness. S. carpocapsae (among EPNs) and I. fumosorosea (among EPFs) were found to be the most effective biocontrol agents in all trials carried out. Advantages and limitations of such promising biocontrol agents were discussed. Ecological competency and conditions that can impede or enhance the EPNs and EPFs performance should be investigated to optimize their performance under field conditions.

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

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.2008.70.2720 ◽

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

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Potential of Nepalese entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents against Holotrichia longipennis Blanch. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-011-0370-5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 457-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Hari Bahadur Khatri-Chhetri ◽

Govinda Prasad Timsina ◽

Hira Kaji Manandhar ◽

Maurice Moens

Keyword(s):

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Holotrichia Longipennis

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

New Zealand Plant Protection ◽

10.30843/nzpp.2000.53.3648 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

pp. 48-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

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

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