Biocontrol Science and Technology (2010) 20, 149-163
Benjamin A. McGraw, Patricia J. Vittum, Richard S. Cowles and Albrecht M. Koppenhöfer (2010)
Field evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes for the biological control of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in golf course turfgrass
Biocontrol Science and Technology 20 (2), 149-163
Abstract: The ability of entomopathogenic nematodes to suppress larval populations of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis, was investigated under field conditions over a 3-year period (2006-2008). Combination of nematode species, application rate and timing produced strong numerical yet few statistically significant reductions. Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, S. feltiae Filipjev, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar applied at 2.5 x 109 IJs/ha reduced first generation late instars between 69 and 94% in at least one field trial. Steinernema feltiae provided a high level of control (94%) to low densities (~20 larvae per 0.09 m2), but gave inadequate control for higher densities (24 and 50% suppression). No significant differences were found among treatment timings. However, applications timed to coincide with the peak of larvae entering the soil (fourth instars) generally performed better than applications made prior to (preemptive) or after the majority of the population advanced from the fourth instar. Nematode populations declined sharply between 0 and 14 days after treatment (DAT). Although nematode populations later increased (at 28 DAT), indicating an ability to recycle within hosts in the environment, they were nearly undetectable 56 DAT when the second generation host larvae were present in the soil. Applying commercially available nematode species at standard field rates cannot reliably reduce L. maculicollis immature densities on golf courses, nor will single applications suppress multiple generations. Future research will need to identify application strategies to improve biocontrol consistency.
(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): Benjamin A. McGraw, Albrecht M. Koppenhöfer, Richard S. Cowles
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
