I would like to formulate a research on the use of entomopathogenic nematodes as alternative options to insecticides for insect pest management in fruit trees in Zimbabwe. Which entomopathogenic nematode species are easier to work with when I want to evaluate their potential as biocontrol agents in a selected insect pest of a selected fruit tree?
Hello James, I think for every country - Tephritid combination there will be the better option to choose. When we reproached that issue in Israel in 2000, we screened 12 species and strains for the most infective one against Medfly. We found two nematodes Steinernema riobrave Texas and Hetrorabditis sp. IS-5 to be the most effective.
Dear Yoav, Thanks for the info. Please kindly send me any publications in this area which will assist me.
Regards,
The nematodes commercially available for this purpose in the UK might be worth looking at: https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/content/10-introduction-to-grow-your-own
Thanks Mark. If you have any publications on this area, kindly send me.
Dear Dr. Chitamba,
Heterorhabditis spp, Steinernema species could be best among other EPNs
It is clearly related with the target pest. Do you know the principal pest? And also it is related with the specific nematode population
Dear Ignacio Armendariz,
Yes, the principal pests are Mediterranean fruit fly and cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae). Kindly give your idea.
Thanks.
Dear Dr. Chitamba:
I know records of Steinernema feltiae, S. areanarium, S. scarabaei, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in larva and adults of Phyllophaga spp, Anomala sp, Popillia sp. (Coleoptera) and Steinernema feltiae on Scatella s. and Bradysia sp, (Diptera)
Dear Dr James
Why you do not try to isolate the EPNs from the soil of Zimbabwe? It is a very easy practice.
Every species has its own adaptive limitations. The best one is the native species. Besides, the choice of the species of EPN also depends upon the type of soil, species of the insect pest etc. among other factors. The below given article may help you.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3578470/
It depends on the biology of the insect pest you want to control. There are a lot of things you should consider as the ecological behavior of EPN (Entomopathogenic Nematodes). It's not the same if you want to control larval stages or pupaes stages. Nematodes from the genra Heterorhabditis are usually very suscpetible to environmental changes. EPN with and intermediate-foraging behavior as Steinernema feltiae could be a good option. But as I told you before, you should know the biology and the life's cycle of the insect that you want to control.
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