Greenhouse whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and the sweet potato whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) pose a significant threat to greenhouse and field vegetables. Beneficial nematodes like Steinernema feltiae are microscopic roundworms used for biological control of various insect pests including whiteflies.
Read MoreNematode application methods
Desiccated insect cadavers: An easy method for delivery of entomopathogenic nematodes in the field /
It has been demonstrated that entomopathogenic nematodes can be easily delivered through desiccated insect cadavers. It has been shown that the nematodes can survive and preserve their virulence capacities in desiccated insect cadavers. These desiccated cadavers are easy to apply and when cadavers come in contact with water or rehydrated infective juveniles will emerge out to seek new host. Read following research papers on application of entomopathogenic nematodes through insect cadavers.
Ansari, M.A., Hussain, M. and Moens, M. 2009. Formulation and application of entomopathogenic nematode-infected cadavers for control of Hoplia philanthus in turf grass. Pest Management Science 65: 367-374.
Creighton, C.S. and Fassuliotis, G. 1985. Heterorhabditis sp. (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae): a nematode parasite isolated from the banded cucumber beetle Diabrotica balteata. Journal of Nematology 17: 150–153.
Del Valle, E.E., Dolinksi, C., and Souza, R.M. 2008. Dispersal of Heterorhabditis baujardi LPP7 (Nematoda : Rhabditida) applied to the soil as infected host cadavers. International Journal of Pest Management 54: 115-122.
Del Valle, E.E., Dolinksi, C., Barreto, E.L.S. and Souza, R.M. 2009. Effect of cadaver coatings on emergence and infectivity of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis baujardi LPP7 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and the removal of cadavers by ants. Biological Control 50: 21–24.
Del Valle, E.E., Dolinksi, C., Barreto, E.L.S., Souza, R.M. and Samuels, R.I. 2008. Efficacy of Heterorhabditis baujardi LP77 (Nematoda: Rhabditida) applied in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) insect cadavers to Conotrachelus psidii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae. Biocontrol Science and Technology 18: 33–41.
Perez, E.E., Lewis, E.E and Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. 2003. Impact of host cadaver on survival and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) under desiccating conditions. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 82: 111–118.
Shapiro, D.I and Lewis, E.E. 1999. Comparison of entomopathogenic nematode infectivity from infected hosts versus aqueous suspension. Environmental Entomology 28: 907–911.
Shapiro, D.I. and Glazer, I. 1996. Comparison of entomopathogenic nematode dispersal from infected hosts versus aqueous suspension. Environmental Entomology 25: 1455–1461.
Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Lewis, E.E., Behle, R.W and McGuire, M.R. 2001. Formulation of entomopathogenic nematode-infected-cadavers. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 78: 17–23.
Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Lewis, E.E., Tedders, W.L. and Son, Y. 2003. Superior efficacy observed in entomopathogenic nematodes applied in infected-host cadavers compared with application in aqueous suspension, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 83: 270–272.
Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Tedders, W.L. and Lewis, E.E., 2008. Application of entomopathogenic nematode-infected cadavers from hard-bodied arthropods for insect suppression. US Patent 7374,773.
Spence, K.O., Stevens, G.N., Arimoto, H., Ruiz-Vega, J., Kaya, H.K. and Lewis, E.E. 2011. Effect of insect cadaver desiccation and soil water potential during rehydration on entomopathogenic nematode (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) production and virulence. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 106: 268-273.