No abstract

In the process of in vivo multiplication of EPN, the Infective Juvenile (IJs) enters into the body of host insect; Galleria mellonella (wax moth) larvae through natural openings and cuticle. They release symbiotic bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens in insect body. The bacteria multiply in hemocoel, cause septicemia disease and kills insect within 48 hours, multiplies and complete 2-3 generations inside host insect body. With the proven effectiveness demonstrated in recent years, the demand of EPNs is increasing day by day. The production of EPNs has been mainly restricted up to laboratory level only due to the low recovery rats of IJs in the existing method. Recovery of EPN by the existing method is labor intensive, time consuming and inconvenient for mass multiplication of EPN at large scale. The standardizations of technology with equipment modifications have been optimized for multiplication of EPN at small scale entrepreneurs. The higher recoveries 241424 IJs/GC in it as compared to existing white trap methodology 197445 IJs/GC. This is the first scalable system in India for mass production entomopathogenic nematode; In vivo methodology based on LOTEK. In present study we describe an improved version of it in which bulk conditioning, harvesting, separations are automated to reduce labor costs.