Western corn rootworm

A novel entomopathogenic nematode formulation to attract insect pests by Ganpati Jagdale

Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and entomopathogenic nematodes

In this formulation, entomopathogenic nematodes were encapsulated in the capsules, which were prepared from several compounds including a polysaccharide extracted from the algae, Laminaria spp. According to Hiltpold et al., (2012), these entomopathogic nematode-filled capsules are easy to apply in the field and from these capsules entomopathogenic nematodes can easily break through, and successfully infect insect pests such as Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Also, these nematode-filled capsules can attract insect pests in the field if they are coated with insect food stimulant or attractants.

Literatures:

Hiltpold, I., Hibbard, B.E., French, B.W. and Turlings, T.C.J. 2012. Capsules containing entomopathogenic nematodes as a Trojan horse approach to control the western corn rootworm. Plant and Soil 358: 10-24.

Insecticidal and antimicrobial compounds from Xenorhabdus budapestensis by Ganpati Jagdale

It has been reported that an entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema bicornutum is effective against western flower thripsFrankliniella occidentalis (Ebssa et al., 2004) and western corn rootwormDiabrotica virgifera virgifera (Toepfer et al., 2005).  The infective juveniles of S. bicornutum carry symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus budapestensis in their gut (Lengyel et al., 2005) and use them to kill their insect host.

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