Journal of Nematology (2006) 38, 273-274

S. Haukeland (2006)
Using entomopathogenic nematodes against Otiorhynchus spp. in field grown strawberries - the good and the bad news
Journal of Nematology 38 (2), 273-274
Abstracts of Society of Nematologists 45th Annual Meeting, Lihue, Hawaii, 18-21 June 2006
Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are used for biological control of the soil dwelling stages of the vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, a serious pest of ornamentals and field grown strawberries. The nematodes Heterorhabditis megidis, H. bacteriophora and Steinernema kraussei are commercially available in Europe for control of the vine weevil. S. kraussei is sold as a cold active strain for use outdoors at low temperatures. In southern Norway, several field trials were conducted in strawberries to examine the effect of S. kraussei on vine weevil larvae at low temperatures. The trials were assessed one month after nematode treatments and showed rather poor effect at soil temperatures below 12°C. Further work is necessary to investigate the long-term effect of the applied nematodes as well as biotic and abiotic factors that may affect nematode efficacy. For comparison, the nematode H. megidis was used in these same trials and the results showed that this species is effective at soil temperatures above 12°C, there was no indication that H. megidis had any effect at low temperatures.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Solveig Haukeland

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Otiorhynchus sulcatus	Strawberry (Fragaria)	Norway
Steinernema kraussei (entomopathogen)	Otiorhynchus sulcatus	Strawberry (Fragaria)	Norway