Factors limiting short-term persistence of entomopathogenic nematodes

• Published in: Journal of applied entomology (1986) 2004-05, Vol.128 (4), p.250-253
• Main Authors: Wilson, M, Gaugler, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: application methods; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control; biological control agents; Collembola; Control; entomopathogenic nematodes; Festuca arundinacea; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Galleria mellonella; Heterorhabditidae; Heterorhabditis bacteriophora; infection; insect control; mites; natural enemies; nematode antagonists; nematode persistence; persistence; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; population density; Protozoa. Invertebrates; soil arthropods; soil surface application; subsurface application; temporal variation; turf grasses; turfgrass
• ISSN: 0931-2048; 1439-0418
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2004.00814.x

:  Entomopathogenic nematodes are commonly applied to soil and crops for biocontrol of insects. Typically, when nematodes are applied, recoverable numbers decline quickly. Because ultra‐violet light is known to kill entomopathogenic nematodes in the laboratory, many researchers blame poor field persistence on the action of ultra‐violet light. We conducted a field experiment to test this hypothesis, using Heterorhabditis bacteriophora applied to turf as a model system. We compared persistence of surface‐applied nematodes with subsurface‐applied nematodes and found no difference in persistence. Numbers of potential nematode antagonists (mites and collembola) were also monitored. Poor persistence was positively correlated with numbers of mites and collembola in plots where nematodes were surface‐applied, but not in plots where they were subsurface‐applied.