Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Crop Insect Pest Control
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Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Crop Insect Pest Control A PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXTENSION PUBLICATION • PNW544 Washington State University • Oregon State University • University of Idaho Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Crop Insect Pest Control By Carol Miles, Caitlin Blethen, Randy Gaugler, David Shapiro-Ilan, and Todd Murray Introduction the region, the information in this publication can be successfully applied throughout the Pacific Northwest. Nematodes are non-segmented, elongated roundworms that are colorless, without appendages, and usually microscopic. There are non-beneficial and beneficial Life Cycle of Entomopathogenic Nematodes nematodes. Non-beneficial nematodes are also called The life cycle of most nematodes includes an egg stage, “plant parasitic nematodes” and cause damage to crops four juvenile stages, and an adult stage. The third juve- and other types of plants. Beneficial nematodes attack nile stage of entomopathogenic nematodes is referred soilborne insect pests, yet are not harmful to humans, to as the “infective juvenile” or “dauer” stage and is the animals, plants, or earthworms, and can therefore only free-living stage (Figure 2). The infective juvenile is be used as biological control organisms (Denno et al. capable of surviving in the soil, where it locates, attacks, 2008). Beneficial nematodes that cause disease within and infects a pest insect (Poinar 1990). Under optimal an insect are referred to as “entomopathogenic” and conditions, it takes 3–7 days for steinernematids and have the ability to kill insects (Figure 1). heterorhabditids to complete one life cycle inside a host from egg to egg. Emergence of infective juveniles from Entomopathogenic nematodes from the families Stein- the host requires about 6–11 days for steinernematids ernematidae and Heterorhabditidae have proven to be and 12–14 days for heterorhabditids (Kaya and Kop- the most effective as biological control organisms (Kaya penhöfer 1999). Figure 3 is a diagram of the life cycle of and Gaugler 1993). They are soil-inhabiting organisms entomopathogenic nematodes from host infection to and can be used effectively to control soilborne insect emergence from the host. pests, but are generally not effective when applied to control insects in the leaf canopy. When considered as a group of nearly 30 species, each with its own suite of preferred hosts, entomopathogenic nematodes can be used to control a wide range of insect pests, includ- ing a variety of caterpillars, cutworms, crown borers, grubs, corn root worm, cranefly, thrips, fungus gnat, and beetles. Entomopathogenic nematodes have been released extensively in crop fields with negligible effects on nontarget insects and are regarded as exceptionally safe to the environment. The keys to success with entomopathogenic nematodes are (1) understanding their life cycles and functions; (2) matching the correct nematode species with the pest spe- cies; (3) applying them during appropriate environmen- tal conditions (soil temperature, soil moisture, sunlight); and (5) applying them only with compatible pesticides. Figure 1. Tens of thousands of infective juveniles of the entomo- Because entomopathogenic nematodes are living organ- pathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae spilling out of a isms, they require careful handling to survive shipment Galleria wax moth larva in search of new hosts (photo provided by and storage as well as appropriate environmental condi- Randy Gaugler). tions to survive in the soil after application. How Entomopathogenic Nematodes Control Many species of entomopathogenic nematodes occur naturally in the Pacific Northwest, includingHeterorhab - Insect Pests ditis marelata, which has been shown to control some insect crop pests (Berry et al. 1997). However, most An understanding of host-finding strategies will help entomopathogenic nematodes used for pest management you properly match entomopathogenic nematode are not native to the region. It is unknown whether these species to pest insects to ensure infection and control introduced species will overwinter in the Pacific North- (Gaugler 1999). Only entomopathogenic nematodes west and successfully colonize insect hosts in subsequent in the infective juvenile stage will survive in the soil years. While much of the research regarding entomo- and find and penetrate insect pests. Infective juvenile pathogenic nematodes has been conducted outside of entomopathogenic nematodes locate their hosts in soil 1 Ambushing. Entomopathogenic nematodes that use the ambushing strategy tend to remain stationary at or near the soil surface and locate host insects by direct contact (Campbell et al. 1996). An ambusher searches by standing on its tail so that most of its body is in the air, referred to as “nictation.” The nictating nematode attaches to and attacks passing insect hosts. Ambusher entomopathogenic nematodes most effectively control insect pests that are highly mobile at the soil surface, Figure 2. An infective such as cutworms, armyworms, and mole crickets. juvenile entomopatho- genic nematode (photo Cruising. Entomopathogenic nematodes that use the provided by Randy cruising strategy are highly mobile and able to move Gaugler). throughout the soil profile. Cruisers locate their host by sensing carbon dioxide or other volatiles released by the host. Cruiser entomopathogenic nematodes are most effective against sedentary and slow-moving insect pests at various soil depths, such as white grubs and root weevils. Infection Generally, several entomopathogenic nematodes will by means of two strategies—ambushing and cruising infect a single insect host. Infective juvenile nematodes (Gaugler et al. 1989). Ambusher species include Stein- penetrate the insect’s body cavity either through natural ernema carpocapsae and S. scapterisici; cruisers include body openings (such as the mouth, anus, genital pore, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and S. glaseri. S. riobrave or breathing pore; Figure 4) or by breaking the outer and S. feltiae do a bit of both ambushing and cruising cuticle of the insect; heterorhabditids do this using a (Campbell and Gaugler 1997). dorsal “tooth” or hook. Once inside the body cavity of Figure 3. Diagram of the generalized life cycle of entomopathogenic nematodes (image provided by David Shapiro-Ilan). 2 the host, the infective juveniles release bacteria that live particular pest more effectively than another species. symbiotically within the entomopathogenic nematode’s Therefore, the insect pest must be identified before gut but do not harm the nematode. The nematode-bac- choosing the entomopathogenic nematode species most terium relationship is highly specific: onlyXenorhabdus appropriate for biological control. Table 1 is a general spp. bacteria co-exist with steinernematids, and only guide of available entomopathogenic nematodes and Photorhabdus bacteria co-exist with heterorhabditids. the pests they have been shown to control. Table 2 Once released into the host, the bacteria multiply provides a description of each species of commercially quickly and under optimal conditions cause the host to available entomopathogenic nematode. die within 24 to 48 hours. Entomopathogenic nematodes feed on both bacteria Obtaining Entomopathogenic Nematodes they release and host insect tissue. After a few days in- side the host, entomopathogenic nematodes mature to Perhaps the biggest challenge to the use of entomo- the adult stage. These adult entomopathogenic nema- pathogenic nematodes as effective biological control todes produce hundreds of thousands of new juveniles organisms is the variable quantity and quality of nema- that may undergo several life cycles within a single host todes in commercial products (Gaugler et al. 2000). (Figure 5). When the host has been consumed, the in- Entomopathogenic nematodes are cultured on a large fective juveniles, armed with a fresh supply of bacteria, scale in laboratories and are available from many com- emerge from the empty shell of the host, move into the mercial suppliers in North America and Europe. In past assessments of cottage industry commercial products, soil, and begin the search for a new host. A protective exterior cuticle surrounds the infective juvenile, protect- most contained lower numbers of entomopathogenic ing it from the environment and predators. Under ideal nematodes than the suppliers claimed. In addition, in conditions, steinernematids emerge 6–11 days after ini- some cases the species of entomopathogenic nematodes tial infection and heterorhabditids emerge 12–14 days in the product were mixed and therefore inconsistent after initial infection (Kaya and Koppenhöfer 1999). The with the product label. The industry has made progress, duration of infective juvenile survival in soil is un- however, in increasing the quality of its products. See known because they can become prey to invertebrates Table 3 for lists of commercial suppliers compiled by and microorganisms. university and state government professionals. Entomo- pathogenic nematodes can also be purchased through gardening mail-order catalogs and at some local agricul- Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes tural and nursery supply stores. Worldwide, over 80 species of entomopathogenic nematodes have been identified and 11 commercialized Shelf Life (Kaya and Koppenhöfer 1999). The different species of entomopathogenic nematodes vary in the range of In general, entomopathogenic nematodes do not have a insects they attack, environmental needs, and stability long shelf life. Many microbial insecticides,