Susceptibility of shore fly Scatella stagnalis to five entomopathogenic nematode strains in bioassays

Abstract

The shore fly, Scatella stagnalis (Falle´n) (Diptera: Ephydridae) is an important insect pest of greenhouse crops. We evaluated two different Spanish isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Steinernema arenarium (Artyukhovsky) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), and two commercially available strains, Steinernema feltiae (Nemaplus Ò ) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar) (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) (Nematop Ò ) against shore flies. In tests conducted in 24-well plate filter paper applied at 5, 11, 22, 44 and 88 nematodes per larva, all nematodes produced significant shore fly larval mortality. The lowest concentration tested was enough to obtain high larval mortality (65.2À87.0%). The nematodes Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema arenarium, which parasitized the shore fly larvae faster, also penetrated in higher number in the shore fly larva (4.6À8.8% penetration rate). In bioassays conducted in algae, Steinernema feltiae, applied at 50 nematodes/cm 2 , caused highest (100%) and Steinernema arenarium lowest shore fly mortality (94%). Our results suggest that entomopathogenic nematodes appear feasible for controlling shore flies but further tests are needed to determine their efficacy in the field.

Laboratory efficacy against neonate larvae of the banana weevilCosmopolites sordidusof two indigenous entomopathogenic nematode species from the Canary Islands (Spain)

“…Similar results have been obtained by other authors who confirmed the lack of a correlation between penetration rate and host mortality (Gaugler et al 1990;Epsky and Capinera 1994). The results obtained in this study for the reduction of the penetration rate of EPNs with increasing dose was also reported by Selvan et al (1993) in wax moth G. mellonella, by Cabanillas (2003) in the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis, and by Morton and Garcia-del-Pino (2007) in the shore fly Scatella stagnalis. Caroli et al (1996) showed that the penetration rate in heterorhabdı´tids is lower than in steinernematids infecting different insects.…”

“…(TF135) had a penetration rate similar to that of H. bacteriophora (TF19). This similar penetration rate for steinernematids and heterorhabditids was also found by Garcı´a-del-Pino and Morton (2005) in neonate larvae of the flatheaded rootborer C. tenebrionis (Buprestidae) and by Morton and Garcia-del-Pino (2007) in S. stagnalis larvae.…”

“…Our results have shown that an increase in nematode dosage does not necessarily cause an increase in the rate of neonate larva mortality. Similar results were obtained when comparing different doses of S. feltiae with other insects such as Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae) (Scheepmaker et al 1998) and Scatella stagnalis (Diptera: Ephydridae) (Morton and Garcia-del-Pino 2007). Scheepmaker et al (1998) suggested that the first penetration is difficult with these small insect hosts, whereas subsequent secondary nematode invasion is relatively easy as IJs may enter through the same orifice.…”

Nieuwe methoden voor bestrijding van bodemplagen in de glastuinbouw en zomerbloemen. : Deel 2: Literatuurstudie rouwmuggen (Sciaridae) en oevervliegen (Ephydridae)

“…Dit kwam omdat de aaltjes niet goed konden overleven in de steenwol. Morton & del Pino (2007) hebben de effectiviteit van 5 verschillende insectparasitaire aaltjes tegen oevervliegen bekeken en vonden van alle soorten een hoge activiteit tegen oevervliegen in laboratoriumproeven. Ze hebben echter geen veldproeven gedaan.…”

Research on the Biological Properties of Scatella Tenuicosta Bennison in Seedling Production

“…In Spain and UK, some preliminary studies were conducted on the identification of this pest, its host plants, symptoms, sources and suitable growing conditions [1,2,3]. In China, only Hu Xue-you carried out taxonomical study of ephydridae in China [4].…”