Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Biological Control of <I>Acalymma vittatum</I> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Cucumbers Grown in Conventional and Organic Soil Management Systems

Abstract

Acalymma vittatum (F.) is the primary insect pest of fresh-market cucumber and melon crops in much of the eastern United States because of their herbivory and interactions with several diseases, most notably bacterial wilt. A study was conducted to determine how soil management affects viability and infectivity of an entomopathogenic nematode that may be used for the control of A. vittatum. Dose-mortality curves under laboratory conditions suggested several Steinernema spp. as potential biocontrol agents. Field injections combined with soil bioassays showed that Steinernema riobravis Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston (Rhabditus: Steinernematidae) longevity exceeded A. vittatum immature development time in both conventional and organic soil management systems. Mean root length densities of cucumbers increased in both soil management systems with the inclusion of nematodes. Soil management alone also influenced A. vittatum larval survivorship, with higher survival rates in the organic compared with the conventional soil management system. A 50% reduction in A. vittatum larval survival rates in both soil management systems, as determined by adult A. vittatum emergence, demonstrated the potential of incorporation of entomopathogenic nematodes for integrated pest management of diabroticites in commercial cucumber production.

Avoidance of Wolf Spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) by Striped Cucumber Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Laboratory and Field Studies

“…Another species, the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.), also causes considerable damage to cucurbit crops (Foster and Flood 1995) and is the primary insect pest of cucumber and melon crops in much of the eastern United States (Ellers-Kirk et al 2000). Striped cucumber beetles face a diverse community of natural enemies (Foster and Flood 1995).…”

Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits: Resurrecting a Classic Pathosystem

“…Overwintering females lay their eggs at the base of cucurbit plants, allowing the larvae to feed on the roots and develop into first-generation adults (Ellers-Kirk and Fleischer 2006;Ellers-Kirk et al 2000). Overwintering females lay their eggs at the base of cucurbit plants, allowing the larvae to feed on the roots and develop into first-generation adults (Ellers-Kirk and Fleischer 2006;Ellers-Kirk et al 2000).…”

“…Aluminum-coated or reflective mulches repel cucumber beetles with variable results, whereas black plastic mulch can reduce the survival of striped cucumber beetle larvae (Caldwell and Clarke 1999;Necibi et al 1992). Introducing entomopathogenic nematodes through drip irrigation of cucumbers grown in black plastic mulch can also control cucumber beetle larvae (Ellers-Kirk et al 2000). Integration of this method into a cucurbit pro duction system could decrease larval populations but would not control early-season or overwintering beetle populations.…”

Effect on Heterorhabditis indica of substances occurring in decomposing palm tissues infested by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

“…The virulence of nematodes that survived treatment with concentrations equivalent to the determined LC 50 at 24 h of each of the four chemicals was tested by assessing their infectivity and penetration with late instar G. mellonella larvae as a sensitive indicator species (Ellers-Kirk et al, 2000).…”