Insect blood clotting can prevent infection by entomopathogenic nematodes

Recently, Hyrsl et al. (2011) demonstrated that the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster as an immune response can form the blood (hemolymph) clots and protect against infection by an entomopathogenic nematode (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) and its symbiotic bacterium (Photorhabdus luminescens). Read following papers for more information on the interaction between fruit fly and entomopathogenic nematodes.

Hyrsl, P., Dobes, P., Wang, Z., Hauling, T., Wilhelmsson, C. and Theopold, U. 2011. Clotting Factors and Eicosanoids Protect against Nematode Infections.  Journal of Innate Immunity 3: 65-70.

Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents for sheep lice, Bovicola ovis

Biological control of sheep lice, Bovicola ovis with entomopathogenic nematodes Four entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema riobrave, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora have showed a very high efficacy against sheep lice, Bovicola ovis when tested under laboratory conditions at different incubation temperatures (James et al., 2010).  However,  the efficacy all the four species of entomopathogenic nematodes varied with the nematode species and incubation temperature.

For more information on the interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and sheep lice read following paper.

1. James, P. J., Hook, S.E. and Pepper, P. M. 2010. In vitro infection of sheep lice (Bovicola ovis Schrank) by Steinernematid and Heterorhabditid nematodes. Veterinary Parasitology 174: 85-91.

Control of noxious social insects with entomopathogenic nematodes

Social insects including ants, termites and wasps can sting and cause harm to people. Termites and some species of ants are considered as serious pests of many crops and wooden structures (e. g. houses). Wasp insects including yellowjackets can be dangerous to people and domestic animals because of their ability to sting. Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) can cause serious injuries to people and animals. Insect-parasitic nematodes have a potential to use as biological control agents to kill these noxious social insects. It has been demonstrated that two insect-parasitic nematodes including Steinernema carpocapase, S. feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can cause over 70% mortality of yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica under laboratory conditions (Gambino, 1984; Guzman, 1984). Steinernema carpocapsae can cause over 60% mortality of fire ants under laboratory conditions (Drees et al., 1992). It has been reported that S. feltiae when applied at the rate of 1,500,000 infective juveniles/nest can cause over 97% mortality of termites, Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes speratus ( Wu et al., 1991). According to Wang et al (2002), both H. indica and H. bacteriophora were capable of infecting and killing termites, C. formosanus and R. flavipes in petri dish tests.

Please read following papers for more information on interaction between social insects and insect-parasitic nematodes.

Drees, B.M., Miller, R.W., Vinson, S.B. and Georgis, R. 1992.  Susceptibility and behavioral response of of red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: formicidae) to selected entomogenous nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae & Heterorhabditidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 85: 365-370.

Gambino, P. 1984. Susceptibility of western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica to three species of three entomogenous nematodes. International Research Communications System Medical Science: Microbiology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases. 12: 264.

Guzman, R.F. 1984.  Preliminary evaluation of the potential of Steinernema feltiae for controlling Vespula germanica. New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 11: 100.

Wang, C., Powell, J.E. and Nguyen, K. 2002.  Laboratory Evaluation of four entomopathogenic nematodes for control of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Environmental Entomology. 31: 381-387.

Wu, H.J., Wang, Z.N., Ou, C.F., Tsai, R.S. and Chow, Y.S. 1991.  Susceptibility of two Formosan termites to the entomogenous nematode Steinernema feltiae Filipjev.  Bulletin of the institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica. 30: 31-39.

Control grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis with beneficial nematodes

The grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis is one of economically important pests of grapes in eastern USA.  Larva stages of this insect feed on grape roots and can cause severe economic damage to the commercial grape industry by killing entire vineyards.  Beneficial nematodes have potential to use as biological control agent to target both larval and pupal stages of root borers.  It has been demonstrated that the beneficial nematodes including Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. zealandica and Steinernema carpocapsae can cause over 70% mortality of grape root borer larvae under laboratory conditions (Williams et al., 2002). Read following paper for more information on interaction between beneficial nematodes and grape root borer.

Williams, R.N., Fickle, D.S., Grewal, P.S. and Meyer, J.R. 2002.  Assessing the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes to control the grape root borer, Vitacea polistifirmis (Lepidiptera: Sesiidae) thorough laboratory bioassays. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 12: 35-42. 

Control of white grub Hoplia philanthus with entomopathogenic nematodes

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes including Heterorhabditis bacteriophora CLO51 strain, H. megidis VBM30 strain, H. indica, Steinernema scarabaei, S. feltiae, S. arenarium, S. carpocapsae Belgian strain, S. glaseri Belgian and NC strains was tested against larval pupal stages a white grub, Hoplia philanthus under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. megidis and both strains of S. glaseri showed highest virulence against third stage larvae and pupae whereas Belgium strain of S. glaseri showed high virulence against second stage larvae of H. philanthus under laboratory conditions whereas H. bacteriophora, Belgium strains of S. glaseri and S. scarabaei showed high virulence to third stage than second stage larvae of white grubs under greenhouse conditions.

Reference:

Ansari, M.A., Adhikari, B.N., Ali, F. and Moens, M. 2008. Susceptibility of Hoplia philanthus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) larvae and pupae to entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae). Biological Control. 47: 315-321.

Use entomopathogenic nematodes to control western corn rootworm

Efficacies of two biological control agents including entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) and insect-parasitic nematode (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) against western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera was compared with two insecticides including Tefluthrin (synthetic pyrethroid compound) and clothianidin (neonicotinoid compound).  According to Pilz et al (2009), insect-parasitic nematode,  H. bacteriophora was as effective as both insecticides in reducing population of the western corn rootworm. Reference:

Pilz, C., Keller, S., Kuhlmann, U. and Toepfer, S. 2009.  Comparative efficacy assessment of fungi, nematodes and insecticides to control western corn rootworm larvae in maize.  Biocontrol. 54: 671-684.

Efficacy of Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema minuta against the Japanese beetle

Efficacy of four new entomopathogenic nematode strains including Heterorhabditis indica strains MP17 and MP111, Heterorhabditis sp. strain MP68 and Steinernema  minuta strain MP10 from Thailand was tested against the second  instar larva of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica in laboratory bioassays. This study demonstrated that the strains of both H. indica and Heterorhabditis spp. were more efficacious against P. japonica that the strain of Steinernema  minuta. However, when comparisons were made among the strains of Heterorhabditis nematodes, MP111 strain of H. indica was the most efficacious against the second instar larva of Japanese beetle . Read following paper on the virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes from Thailand on Japanese beetle.

Maneesakorn, P., An, R., Grewal, P.S.and Chandrapatya, A. 2010. Virulence of our new strains of entomopathogenic nematodes from Thailand against second instar larva of the Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Thai Journal of Agricultural Science.43: 61-66.

Control of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda with entomopathogenic nematodes

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered as an economically important pest of corn in Brazil.  Entomopathogenic nematodes have a potential to include as biological control agents in the integrated pest management (IPM) programs to control the armyworm.  Recently, Negrisoli et al. (2010a) reported that several insecticides including Chlorpyrifos, Deltamethrin, Llufenuron, Deltramethrin + Triazophos, Diflubenzuron, Gamacyhalothrin, Lambdacyhalothrin, Spinosad, Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin, Triflumuron and Permethrin were compatible with the three species of entomopathogenic nematodes including Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri under laboratory conditions.  Furthermore, it has been also reported that the efficacy of an entomopathogenic nematode, H. indica was enhanced against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda when mixed with an insecticide, Lufenuron (Negrisoli et al., 2010b). Read following research papers on compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes with insecticides.

Negrisoli, A.S., Garcia, M.S. and Negrisoli, C.R.C.B. 2010a.  Compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) with registered insecticides for Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions. Crop Protection. 29: 545-549

Negrisoli, A.S., Garcia, M.S., Negrisoli, C.R.C.B., Bernardi, D. and da Silva, A. 2010b.  Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) and insecticide mixtures to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn. Crop Protection. 29: 677-683.

Control the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis with entomopathogenic nematodes

Recently, McGraw et al (2010) demonstrated that field application of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) at rate of 2.5 billion nematodes/hectare reduced over 69% population of first generation late instars of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis. For more information on the interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and the annual bluegrass weevil read following literature.

Hello, World!

McGraw, B.A. and Koppenhofer A.M. 2008.  Evaluation of two endemic and five commercial entomopathogenic nematode species (Rhabditida : Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) against annual bluegrass weevil (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) larvae and adults. Biological Control. 46: 467-475.

McGraw, B.A. and Koppenhofer A.M. 2009.  Population dynamics and interactions between endemic entomopathogenic nematodes and annual bluegrass weevil populations in golf course turfgrass. Applied Soil Ecology. 41: 77-89.

McGraw, B.A., Vittum, P.J., Cowles, R.S. and Koppenhofer A.M. 2010.  Field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for the biological control of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in golf course turfgrass. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 20: 149-163.

Control of the black vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus infesting strawberry fields

It has been reported that entompathogenic nematodes including Heterorhabditis megidis and Steinernema kraussei are effective against the black vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus infesting strawberry fields (Haukeland and Lola-Luz, 2010).  It has been suggested that the soil type and soil temperature plays a significant role in efficacy of these nematodes against the black vine weevil.  It is also noted that H. megidis performs better at soil temperatures above 10oC and S. kraussei at below 10oC. References:

Haukeland, S. and Lola-Luz, T. 2010.  Efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema kraussei and Heterorhabditis megidis against the black vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus in open field-grown strawberry plants. Agricultural and Forest Entomology.12363-369

Control of the western corn rootworm with Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

It has been demonstrated that that application of an entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can reduce the population of the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in the field and thus reducing the damage caused by this insect pest to corn roots and preventing subsequent lodging of plants (Stefan et al., 2010). References:

Stefan, T., Ibolya, H.Z., Ehlers, R.U., Peters, A. and Kuhlmann, U. 2010.  The effect of application techniques on field-scale efficacy: can the use of entomopathogenic nematodes reduce damage by western corn rootworm larvae? Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 12: 389-402.

Entomopathogenic nematodes can protect citrus fruits from the damage caused by the mediterranean fruit fly

The data presented by Abd-Elgawad et al., at the 49th Annual meeting of the Society of Nematlogists held from July 11-14, 2010 in Boise, Idaho clearly demonstrated that the application of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema riobrave and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) in the soil significantly reduced the emergence of adults Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata when  compared with the untreated control.

Entomopathogenic nematodes and insect parasitoids can work together to kill insect pests

In a laboratory study, recently it has been demonstrated that the combined application of an entomopathogenic nematode,  Heterorhabditis indica and an insect parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor can enhance the mortality of Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella.

Please read following literature for more information on compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes and insect parasitoides

Mbata, G.N. and Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. 2010 Compatibility of Heterorhabditis indica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for biological control of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Biological Control. 54: 75-82.

Management of small hive beetles with insect-parasitic nematodes

Entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema riobrave and Heterorhabditis indica were evalusted against a small hive beetle Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in the field. According to Ellis et al. (2010) both nematode species caused over 76% mortality of hive beetles. Shapiro-Ilan et al. (2010) tested efficacy of H. indica and Steinernema carpocapsae against hive beetles and demonstrated that both nematode species when applied through infected host cadavers can cause up to 78% control in hive beetles. This suggests that entomopathogenic nematodes have a potential to use as biological control agents against hive beetles.

Read following papers for detail information on effect of entomopathogenic nematodes on the small hive beetles.

Ellis, J.D., Spiewok, S., Delaplane, K.S., Buchholz, S., Neumann, P. and Tedders, W.L. 2010.  Susceptibility of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) larvae and pupae to entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Economic Entomology. 103: 1-9.

Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Morales-Ramos, J.A., Rojas, M.G. and Tedders, W.L. 2010.  Effects of a novel entomopathogenic nematode-infected host formulation on cadaver integrity, nematode yield, and suppression of Diaprepes abbreviatus and Aethina tumida. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 103: 103-108.

Control of annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis with entomopathogenic nematodes

It has been reported that the entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora when applied at rate of 2.5 billion infective juveniles/ha can cause 69- 94% mortality of first generation late instars of annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis. Of the 3 species of entomopathogenic nematodes, S. feltiae showed higher virulence against annual bluegrass weevil than the other two nematode species (see McGraw et al., 2010).

Read following research papers for more information on interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and annual bluegrass weevil, L. maculicollis.

McGraw, B.A., Vittumb, P.J. Cowlesc, R.S.and Koppenhoumlfera, A.M. 2010.  Field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for the biological control of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in golf course turfgrass. Journal Biocontrol Science and Technology. 20: 149 - 163.

Entomopathogenic nematodes can be used for controlling pests of stored grains

It has been demonstrated that the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema carpocapsae, and Steinernema feltiae against various stored grain pests (Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella, lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae and confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varied with nematode dosages and temperature in the storage structures. Please read following papers for detailed information on the interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and stored grain pests.

Athanassiou, C.G., Kavallieratos, N.C., Menti, H. and Karanastasi, E. 2010.  Mortality of four stored product pests in stored wheat when exposed to doses of three entomopathogenic nematodes.  Journal of Economic Entomology. 103: 977-984.

Athanassiou, C.G., Palyvos, N.E. and Kakoull-Duarte, T. 2008.  Insecticidal effect of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Nematoda : Steinernematidae) against Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae) and Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in stored wheat  Journal of Stored Products Research. 44: 52-57.

Mbata, G.N., and Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. 2005.  Laboratory evaluation of virulence of heterorhabditid nematodes to Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Environmental Entomology. 34: 676 – 682.

Ramos-Rodríguez, O., Campbell, J. F. and Ramaswamy, S. 2006.  Pathogenicity of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes to some major stored- product insect pest. Journal of Stored Product Research 42: 241 – 252.

Ramos-Rodríguez,O., Campbell, J. F. and Ramaswamy, S. 2007.  Efficacy of the   entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema riborave against the stored-product pests Tribolium castaneum and Plodia interpunctella. Biological Control 40:15 -21.

Tradan, S., Vidric, M. and Valic, N. 2006.  Activity of four entomopathogenic nematodes against young adult of Sitophilus granarious (Coleptera: Curculionidae ) and Oryzophilus surinamensis ( Coleoptera: Silvanidae ) under laboratory condition. Plant Disease and Protection. 113: 168 – 173.

Do you know that the queens of red imported fire ants can be susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes?

As we know that the red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) are most notorious and difficult to control.  These ants are considered as a major agricultural and urban pest and they can be medically and environmentally harmful.  Red imported fire ants generally invade home lawns, school yards, athletic fields, golf courses and parks.  Natural enemies including microsporidian protozoan (Thelohania solenopsae) the fungus (Beauveria bassiana),  South African parasitoid flies (Pseudacteon tricuspis and Pseudacteon curvatus) and entomopathogenic nematodes have a potential to use as a biological control agents to kill red imported fire ants. Recently, it has been reported that the infective juveniles of two entomopathogenic nematode species including Steinernema carpocapsae All and S. scapterisci can infect the queens of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta under laboratory conditions.  Both nematodes can cause up to  100% mortality of fire ant queens 9 days after their exposure. 

For correct dosages of nematodes and their efficacy, please read the paper listed below.

Zhang, L.K., Zhang, P.B., Cao, L. and Han, R.C. 2010.  Susceptibility of red imported fire ant queens to the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae All and S. scapterisci. Sociobiology. 55: 519-526.

Biological control of filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana with entomopathogenic nematodes

Filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana is considered as an economically important insect pest of hazelnuts, Corylus avellana in North America.  Three entomopathogenic nematode species including Heterorhabditis marelatus Pt. Reyes strain, Steinernema carpocapsae All strain and Steinernema kraussei L137 strain have been tested as biological control agents against filbertworm under both laboratory and field condition (Chambers et al., 2010; Bruck and Walton, 2007). These studies showed that these nematodes can cause about 73–100% mortality of filbertworms (Bruck and Walton, 2007) and can be used to manage overwintering worms on the hazelnut orchard floor (Chambers et al., 2010).

Read following literature for information on the interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and filbertworm.

Bruck, D.J. and Walton, V.M. 2007.  Susceptibility of the filbertworm (Cydia latiferreana, Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) and filbert weevil (Curculio occidentalis, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 96: 93–96.

Chambers, U. Bruck, D.J., Olsen, J. and Walton, V.M. 2010.  Control of overwintering filbertworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae with Steinernema carpocapsae. Journal of Economic Entomology. 103: 416-422.

Biological control of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with entomopathogenic nematodes

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is considered as a major pest of palms in the Mediterranean Basin. Because of cryptic habitats of these weevils, their management with chemical insecticides is difficult.  It has been demonstrated that the entomopathogenic nematodes have a potential to use as biological control agents against red palm weevils.  For example, Steinernema carpocapsae can cause over 80% mortality of weevils under field conditions when applied in a chitosan formulation (Dembilio et al., 2010, Llacer et al., 2009).

Read following literature for more information

Abbas, M.S.T., Saleh, M.M.E. and Akil, A.M. 2001.  Laboratory and field evaluation of the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes to the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) (Col.: Curculionidae). Anzeiger Fur Schadlingskunde-Journal of Pest Science. 74: 167-168.

Dembilio, O., Llacer, E., de Altube, M.D.M. and Jacas, J.A. 2010.  Field efficacy of imidacloprid and Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Phoenix canariensis. Pest Management Science. 66: 365-370.

Llacer, E., de Altube, M.M.M. and Jacas, J.A. 2009.  Evaluation of the efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, in Phoenix canariensis. Biocontrol. 54: 559-565.

Monzer, A.E, and El-Rahman, R.A. 2003.  Effect on Heterorhabditis indica of substances occurring in decomposing palm tissues infested by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Nematology. 5: 647-652.

Salama, H.S., Abd-Elgawad, M. 2001.  Isolation of heterorhabditid nematodes from palm tree planted areas and their implications in the red palm weevil control. Anzeiger Fur Schadlingskunde-Journal of Pest Science. 74: 43-45.

Salama, H.S. and Abd-Elgawad, M. 2002.  Activity of heterorhabditid nematodes at high temperature and in combination with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus. Anzeiger Fur Schadlingskunde-Journal of Pest Science. 75: 78-80.

Kill cereal leaf beetles, Oulema melanopus with entomopathogenic nematodes

Recently, it has been demonstrated that the entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema feltiae strain B30, S. carpocapsae strain C101, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain D54 have a potential to use as biological control agents against cereal leaf beetles (Oulema melanopus), which is a most common pest of many cereal crops including barley, corn, oats, wheat, rye, millet and rice.

For more information on interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and cereal leaf beetles read following research paper.

Laznik, Z., Toth, I., Lakatos, T., Vidrih, M. and Trdan, S. 2010.  Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults are susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida) attack: results from a laboratory study. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection. 117: 30-32.