BioControl (2016) 61, 461-469

G. Torrini, S. Landi, E. Tarasco and P.F. Roversi (2016)
Evaluation of Steinernema carpocapsae survival and infectivity after cryopreservation
BioControl 61 (4), 461-469
Abstract: A cryopreservation protocol, with an optimum survival rate of 86.8 %, was developed for a strain of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) ItS-CAO1 isolated in a lagoon plain in Veneto Region (northern Italy). Some laboratory bioassays were carried out against Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae to determine the infectivity and stability of this strain after cryopreservation. Insect mortality was very high in different assays (sand column and penetration assays), while the percentage of penetrating infective juveniles was 59.4 and 33.8 respectively. Larval mortality in a one-on-one quality assay was 66.6 % while in an exposure time assay the exposure time to nematodes required to achieve 50 % insect mortality was lower than 20 min. With the results of infectivity assays we can evaluate the possibility to use cryopreservation for long-term storage of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control programs.
(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): Pio Federico Roversi, Giulia Torrini

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
formulation/storage of bioagents

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen)			Italy