Improved Control of Otiorhynchus sulcatus at 9°C by Cold-stored Heterorhabditis megidis UK211

Abstract

The eVect of storage temperature (9 and 20ë C) on North West European Heterorhabditis megidis isolate UK211 for control of Otiorhynchu s sulcatus larvae at 9ë C is assessed. O. sulcatus mortality increased from 2 5.3% (corrected mortality) using freshly produced nematodes, to 27.1% using nematodes that had been cold-stored for 12 weeks. The number of nematodes invading the insect larvae increased almost 27-fold. Nematode storage at 9ë C for 11 to 12 weeks weeks resulted in signiWcantly higher O. sulcatus mortality (41%) than storage at 20ë C for 2 to 3 weeks (12%). Thus, cold storage does enhance nematode infectivity for O. sulcatus larvae.

Three dimensional study of wounded plant roots recruiting entomopathogenic nematodes with Pluronic gel as a medium

“…This phenomenon could be explained by phased infectivity in which infectivity is changed associated with aging (Dempsey and Griffin, 2002;Griffin, 2012;Ryder and Griffin, 2003). For example, H. megidis IJs with 4-week storage duration at 9°C could increase control of vine weevil larvae in potted plants (Fitters et al, 2001). Guy et al (2009) reported that Steinernema spp.…”

Combined use of entomopathogenic nematodes and Metarhizium anisopliae as a new approach for black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, control

“…One of the alternative approaches is to apply biocontrol agents such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae. These EPNs have been successfully used against a wide range of soil‐inhabiting pests, including black vine weevil, in potted plants and glasshouse crops (Fitters et al., 2001; Georgis et al., 2006; Lola‐Luz & Downes, 2007). Although EPNs offer an environmentally safe alternative to chemical insecticides, they are relatively expensive (Georgis et al., 2006), have a short shelf life (Koppenhöfer, 2007), and their efficacy may be compromised by environmental factors such as temperature (Fitters et al., 2001; van Tol et al., 2004).…”

Rapid Age-Related Changes in Infection Behavior of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

“…Therefore, to slow the aging process, the IJs are often stored between 5 and 10 C (Molyneux, 1985;Griffin, 1996). Low-temperature storage preserves nematode lipid content (Jagdale and Gordon, 1997) and extends the period of time IJs are highly infective Fitters et al, 2001). Steinernema carpocapsae has been shown to maintain the original levels of infectiousness up to 10 mo in storage at 5 C (Grewal, 2000).…”