Russian Journal of Nematology (2007) 15, 21-24

M.A. Ansari, L. Waeyenberge and M. Moens (2007)
Natural occurrence of Steinernema carpocapsae, Weiser, 1955 (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) in Belgian turf and its virulence to Spodoptera exigua (Lepodoptera: Noctuidae)
Russian Journal of Nematology 15 (1), 21-24
Abstract: During a routine survey for the white grub, Hoplia philanthus Fuessly (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), in turf fields, we isolated entomopathogenic nematodes from one out of 40 soil samples. The morphology and morphometrics identified the isolate as Steinernema carpocapsae. The ITS-rDNA sequence confirmed the identification. This is the first report of S. carpocapsae from Belgium. In laboratory assays the isolate demonstrated a virulence to Spodoptera exigua Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) comparable to two commercial strains and two other strains kept in laboratories. All tested isolates including the Belgian strain caused high mortality to S. exigua larvae.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spodoptera exigua
	Hoplia philanthus	Grasses/turf/rangeland	Belgium
Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen)			Belgium
Steinernema carpocapsae/Xenorhabdus nematophila (entomopathogen)	Spodoptera exigua