Environmental Entomology (1997) 26, 465-470
R.E. Berry, J. Liu and E. Groth (1997)
Efficacy and persistence of Heterorhabditis marelatus (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) against root weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in strawberry
Environmental Entomology 26 (2), 465-470
Abstract: We compared the efficacy of Heterorhabditis marelatus Liu and Berry, a newly described species of entomopathogenic nematode with that of H. bacteriophora Poinar against the root weevils, Otiorhynchus ovatus (L.) and O sulcatus in strawberry. In the laboratory, H. marelatus was significantly more virulent than H. bacteriophora on O. ovatus and O. sulcatus 7 d after nematode application at 14°C. In field experiments, H. marelatus applied at concentrations of 52 and 136 infective juveniles (IJs) per square centimeter, reduced root weevil larvae and pupae 75.3 and 77.4%, respectively, 20 d after nematode application. H. bacteriophora applied at concentrations of 128 and 379 IJs per square centimeter reduced root weevils 50.0 and 74.0%, respectively. Both nematode species were detected up to 30 d after application by baiting with Galleria mellonella larvae in soil samples collected from the field.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Ralph E. Berry
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
evaluation - screening - selection
