Nematology (2016) 18, 963-972

Temesgen Addis, Shiferaw Demissie, Olaf Strauch and Ralf-Udo Ehlers (2016)
Influence of bacterial density and mating on life history traits of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
Nematology 18 (8), 963-972
Abstract: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, associated with Photorhabdus luminescens, is commonly used against insect pests. Dauer juveniles (DJ) develop into self-fertilising hermaphrodites that lay eggs until juveniles hatch inside the uterus and feed on the body content of the mother (endotokia matricida). The life history traits of H. bacteriophora were studied at 2.5 × 10⁹, 5 × 10⁹, 10 × 10⁹ and 20 × 10⁹ cells ml^-1 of P. luminescens at 25°C using a hanging drop technique. The number of offspring produced per hermaphrodite increased from 50 at 2.5 × 10⁹ cells ml^-1 to 269 at 20 × 10⁹ cells ml^-1 of P. luminescens. The bacterial density did not influence the beginning of endotokia matricida, hermaphrodite death, DJ release from the maternal carcass and the percentage of juveniles obtained through endotokia matricida. Mating of automictic females could not increase offspring production and survival. Endotokia matricida is an obligatory developmental step in H. bacteriophora.
(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): Ralf-Udo Ehlers

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora/Photorhabdus (entomopathogen)