| |
| Publication Type:
| Report |
|---|
| Content Type: | Abstract or Summary only |
|---|
| Author(s): | Lewis, Edwin E.;
Gaugler, Randy |
|---|
| Author Affiliation: | Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey |
|---|
| Title: | Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents for turf pests |
|---|
| Section: | Oral presentations
Other records with the "Oral presentations" Section
|
|---|
| Meeting Info.: | Cook College, Rutgers, NJ: January 15-16, 1993 |
|---|
| Source: | Proceedings of the Second Annual Rutgers TurfgrassSymposium. Vol. 2, 1993, p. 18. |
|---|
| Publishing Information: | New Brunswick, NJ: Center for Turfgrass Science, Cook College, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey |
|---|
| # of Pages: | 1 |
|---|
| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Entomopathogenic nematodes; Biological control; Pests; Steinernematidae; Heterorhabditidae; Pest control; Nematoda; Steinernema carpocapsae; White grubs; Pesticides; Popillia japonica
|
|---|
| Abstract/Contents: | "Entomopathogenic nematodes in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae have been used with some success for turf pest control for the past 10 years. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of their level of control has limited their viability for use in management programs in turf. By understanding their basic biology and life histories, and recognizing the inherent differences occurring among species we can close the "efficacy gap" that now exists between entomopathogenic nematodes and chemical pesticides. We study many aspects of nematode biology with the aim of improving their control potential. Matching strains and species of nematodes with pests with appropriate life histories and behaviors, and genetically altering nematode strains enabling them to overcome limitations caused by their biology, are two of our present areas of concentration. Steinernema carpocapsae is commercially available, yet its behavior and habits render it poorly suited to control subterranean pests such as the white grub complex. We have demonstrated in field tests that grubs are controlled unreliably by S. carpocapsae. This nematode species is an ambush forager, meaning that it remains relatively sedentary while foraging near the soil surface and relies on hos movement to contact its hosts. This strategy of host finding is incompatible with the white grub life style. Conversely, S. glaseri and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora are well suited to parasitize white grubs, but their commercial production is limited. Field tests show both of these species to yield control equivalent to chemical pesticides. These nematodes move through the soil matrix in search of sedentary, patchily-distributed hosts, and find white grubs easily. Nematode species differ in their foraging strategies, and if we understand their host finding behavior, this variability can be used to our advantage. Another limitation of entomopathogenic nematodes is their intolerance to environmental extremes. Their sensitivity to temperature fluctuation, desiccation, and ultraviolet light exposure has been documented. We are currently approaching this challenge by genetic selection and mutagenesis for cold and heat tolerance. The isolation of new strains is also a means for developing nematodes that are well-adapted to finding certain hosts, more pathogenic to some targets, or more tolerant to adverse environmental conditions. Currently, there are more than 20 known species of entomopathogenic nematodes isolated from around the world, and from diverse habitats. More species and strains are added to the list regularly. In New Jersey, we have isolated several new strains of Heterorhabditis spp, and Steinernema spp. We are in the process of testing these new isolates for the above mentioned characteristics, and for efficacy against Japanese beetle grubs in field trials and laboratory assays. Current dissatisfaction with chemical pesticides has lead to increased interest in biorational control measures. Entomopathogenic nematodes are ideally suited to fill this need, but some challenges remain before this potential can be realized. Expanded use of entomopathogenic nematodes in biological control cannot be expected unless field efficacy is increased. Their limited shelf life and persistence in the field are also problems. Understanding their basic biology will help to overcome these limitations." |
|---|
| Language: | English |
|---|
| References: | 0 |
|---|
| Note: | This item is an abstract only! |
|---|
| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Lewis, E. E., and R. Gaugler. 1993. Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents for turf pests. Proc. Annu. Rutgers Turfgrass Symp. 2:p. 18. |
| Fastlink to access this record outside TGIF: https://tic.msu.edu/tgif/flink?recno=125443 |
| If there are problems with this record, send us feedback about record 125443. |
| Choices for finding the above item: |
|---|
| 
MSU catalog number: SB 433 .R88 |
| Request through your local library's inter-library loan service (bring or send a copy of this TGIF record) |
