Biological control of slugs with the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

This literature review is based on the biological control of slugs using the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. It describe the effectiveness and mode of action according to its environment. Also the method of application and doses, compared to chemical molluscicides and the study of the bacteria associated to the nematode. P. hermaphrodita seems to prefer soil moisture and infect young slugs of the Deroceras species. Partial nematode applications are less expensive and should be done in slug resting áreas.There are other nematodes species for slug control but with no effectiveness. More research is still needed to prove when nematode P. hermaphrodita's action stage is, because it has not been so effective for the control of many other slug species.

Biological control of slugs with the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

This literature review is based on the biological control of slugs using the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. It describe the effectiveness and mode of action according to its environment. Also the method of application and doses, compared to chemical molluscicides and the study of the bacteria associated to the nematode. P. hermaphrodita seems to prefer soil moisture and infect young slugs of the Deroceras species. Partial nematode applications are less expensive and should be done in slug resting áreas.There are other nematodes species for slug control but with no effectiveness. More research is still needed to prove when nematode P. hermaphrodita's action stage is, because it has not been so effective for the control of many other slug species.

My favourite nematode – Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

Summary The terrestrial gastropod parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita is the only nematode that evolved to infect and kill slugs and snails. Because of this ability it has been formulated into a biological control agent for gardeners. In this Forum article, the author outlines several reasons why P. hemaphrodita is a nematode that is worth studying, including its ability to control the behaviour and kill slug hosts. The author discusses how P. hemaphrodita is being developed as a model nematode to be used to study the genetic evolution of parasitism, as well as potential research ideas for the future.

Natural variation in chemoattraction in the gastropod parasitic nematodes Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, P. neopapillosa and P. californica exposed to slug mucus

Summary Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita is a lethal parasite of several slug species and has been formulated into a biological control agent for farmers and gardeners. Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita responds to slug faeces, mucus and volatile cues to find hosts in soil. However, these results have only focused on one strain of P. hermaphrodita (DMG0001). We exposed four strains of P. hermaphrodita (and DMG0001), three strains of P. neopapillosa and two strains of P. californica to mucus from seven common slug species. Furthermore, we investigated whether there was a relationship between chemoattraction and the numbers of offspring that were produced on each host species. Natural isolates of P. hermaphrodita differed in their preference of slug species whereas P. neopapillosa tended to prefer Arion sp. and strains of P. californica displayed striking differences in their responses. The reasons for positive chemoattraction to mucus were not due to higher numbers of offspring produced on these hosts.