Journal of Pest Science (2016) 89, 977-984
Ziga Laznik and Stanislav Trdan (2016)
Attraction behaviors of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) to synthetic volatiles emitted by insect-damaged carrot roots
Journal of Pest Science 89 (4), 977-984
Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) play a role in indirect defenses of plants under attack by root herbivores. We have tested the chemotactic responses of 4 EPN species (Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae, S. kraussei, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) to 5 compounds ([1] α-Pinene, [2] Terpinolene, [3] Bornyl acetate, [4] 2-Ethyl-hexanol, and [5] 2, 4-Di-tert-butylphenol) released by damaged (3, 4, 5) and undamaged (1, 2) carrot roots. We hypothesized that the EPN directional responses to the tested volatile compounds (VOCs) could be related to foraging strategy and would vary among species, VOC, and VOC concentrations. Our results indicate that all of the tested EPN species exhibited a weak attraction or repulsion to volatiles, irrespective of their foraging strategy. Terpinolene was a repellent for EPN species classified in all three foraging groups. However, such values of chemotaxis index (CI) were reported with EPN species only when pure concentration of VOC was used. Based on our current results, we conclude that responses to distinct volatile cues are a species-specific characteristic. Our results suggest that EPNs are able to distinguish herbivore-induced chemicals from chemicals that are typical for healthy roots.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ziga Laznik, Stanislav Trdan
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen) | ||||
| Steinernema feltiae/Xenorhabdus bovienii (entomopathogen) | ||||
| Steinernema kraussei (entomopathogen) | ||||
| Heterorhabditis bacteriophora/Photorhabdus (entomopathogen) |
