Effect of insect cadaver desiccation and soil water potential during rehydration on entomopathogenic nematode (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) production and virulence

Formulation of entomopathogenic nematodes for crop pest control - a review

“…This mechanical-electronic prototype facilitates the mass packaging of the IJs, reduces work in the process and standardizes the final product (Figure 2). A year later, Spence et al (2011) developed a technology that involved desiccation of g. mellonella larvae to facilitate the transport and handling of EPNs-infected cadavers. Simultaneously, Deol et al (2011) demonstrated the possibility of directly delivering EPN-infected cadavers through the commercial culture medium Miracle-Gro ® .…”

“…EPN-infected cadavers have proved to be a good alternative to the direct application of EPNs for the control of soil pests, especially on the basis of the results of Ansari et al (2009), Del Valle et al (2009, and Spence et al (2011) to solve the problem of the fragility of the cadavers. In order to obtain an optimal product, we consider necessary: increasing the survival time at room temperature, standardising the final product and evaluating these technologies with other nematode species of economic importance for crop protection.…”

Behaviour and Population Dynamics of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Following Application

“…The host cadaver provides a protected environment for nematodes, and IJs may remain inside during adverse conditions such as desiccation and cold (Koppenhöfer et al, 1997;Serwe-Rodriguez, Sonnenberg, Appleman, & Bornstein-Forst, 2004;Spence et al, 2011). When cadavers infected by each of four EPN species were incubated in dry soil for various periods of time and then rehydrated, IJs survived from 27 to 111 days, depending on species (Koppenhöfer et al).…”

Insect Cadaver Applications: Pros and Cons

“…Similar to freezing conditions , Koppenhöfer et al (1997) discovered that the infected host could serve as a survival refuge for nematodes under desiccating conditions. Spence et al (2011) pointed out that the number of IJs produced depends on the nematode species, desiccation period, and soil moisture during rehydration. They suggested that while desiccation generally has a negative effect on EPN infection success and IJ production, at least some individuals of certain EPN species are capable of surviving within 30 % desiccated insect cadavers (30 % of the original moisture), and they suggested this method as a low-tech strategy for production of insect cadavers that would not require subsequent formulations.…”

“…Molyneux and Bedding (1984) demonstrated that the EPN activity is influenced by the thickness of a water film surrounding soil particles. This water film is a key component that drives IJ emergence from insect cadavers, causing little or no emergence of IJs at lower ranges of soil moisture (Spence et al, 2011). However, high water content of soil may also constrain movement of IJs emerging from the host cadavers.…”