Inoculative Release of Steinernema scapterisci (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) to Suppress Pest Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) on Golf Courses

Integration of Insect Parasitic Nematodes (Rhabditida Steinernematidae) with Insecticides for Control of Pest Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: <I>Scapteriscus</I> spp.)

“…Mole crickets that were large enough to be vulnerable to S. scapterisci infection were present from late August to April, but cooler winter temperatures likely reduced mole cricket activity and possibly nematode infectivity (Molyneux 1985) from December to February. Similar to Parkman et al (1994), we found more mole cricket adults infected with S. scapterisci than nymphs. But, contrary to Parkman et al (1994), more S. vicinus were collected in traps and infected than S. borellii (Table 1).…”

“…Similar to Parkman et al (1994), we found more mole cricket adults infected with S. scapterisci than nymphs. But, contrary to Parkman et al (1994), more S. vicinus were collected in traps and infected than S. borellii (Table 1). Other factors that may have influenced mole cricket numbers, nematode infectivity, and/or sur- Pairs of means within columns followed by asterisks are different, t-test (P > 0.05).…”

“…Steinernema scapterisci may become established after one application to turfgrass, but this is the first known study to demonstrate that augmentative spot treatments can also increase the percent of mole crickets infected by a nematode. Given the background infection levels on both golf courses, it is possible that S. scapterisci populations can either persist on intensively managed golf courses for ≥13 years (initial applications had been made in 1988 and 1989) (Parkman et al 1994), and/or infected mole crickets may reintroduce nematodes periodically during mating flights from other areas. Because infected or septic mole crickets might not be as mobile as healthy mole crickets, and thus not fall into traps and be detected, the reported percentage of mole cricket infection may be an underestimate.…”

“…The infective juvenile nematodes then exit the body and infect other mole crickets in the soil (Nguyen & Smart 1991). Steinernema scapterisci (Nematac S®, Becker Underwood, Ames, IA) can be used in inoculative releases for mole cricket control (Parkman et al 1994). Other insect parasitic nematodes (e.g., Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser; S. feltiae (Filipjev); S. riobrave Cabanillas, Poinar and Raulston; and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar) used against pest mole crickets have a broader host range and may infect non-target organisms.…”

“…For example, commercial formulations may be sprayed onto turfgrass (Parkman et al 1993a(Parkman et al ,b, 1994, chiseled, injected, or buried into the ground (Parkman et al 1993b;Adjei et al 2003), or target pests may be trapped into containers, treated with nematodes, and then released (Parkman & Frank 1992). To enhance the establishment of S. scapterisci , adult mole crickets can be attracted to a treated area with synthetic, electronic male mole cricket songs (Parkman & Frank 1992).…”