Trophic cascades, whereby predators indirectly benefit plant biomass by reducing herbivore pressure, form the mechanistic basis for classical biological control of pest insects. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are lethal to a variety of insect hosts with soil-dwelling stages, making them promising biocontrol agents. EPN biological control programs, however, typically fail because nematodes do ...

The effect of temperature on infection, development and reproduction of five Heterorhabditis isolates was examined in Galleria mellonella larvae. Infectivity was examined at six temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C). The proportion of Galleria infected remained relatively constant, only dropping at extremes of the temperature range tested. However, the mean number of nematodes per h...

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) can control pests due to the mutualistic association with bacteria that kill the host by septicemia and make the environment favorable for EPNs development and reproduction. The diversity of EPNs in Brazilian soils requires further study. The identification of EPNs, adapted to environmental and climatic conditions of cul...

Hemocyte encapsulation reactions of infective juveniles of two Iranian isolates of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditina: Heterorhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (Tylenchina: Steinernematidae), were compared in the economic pest Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and the greater wax moth, Gall...

Fitness costs can delay pest resistance to crops that produce insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and past research has found that entomopathogens impose fitness costs of Bt resistance. In addition, entomopathogens can be used for integrated pest management by providing biological control of pests. The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera...

Abstract Background Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) emerge as compatible alternatives to conventional insecticides in controlling Holotrichia parallela larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). However, the immune responses of H. against EPNs infection remain unclear. Results In present research, RNA-Seq was firstly performed. A total 89,427 and 85,741 unigenes were achieved from midgut treated with...

Stored-product commodities are attacked by numerous insect species. The adulticidal effects of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) on grains remain uninvestigated. Thus, in the current study, seven doses EPNs Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) Steinernematidae), and feltiae (Filipjev) Steinernematidae) were inoculated wheat kerne...

Photorhabdus luminescens is a gram negative symbiotic bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, and is a lethal pathogen of insects. It lives in the gut of an entomopathogenic nematode of the family Heterorhabditidae. When the nematode infects an insect, P. luminescensis released into the blood stream and rapidly kills the insect host by producing toxins. So the present study was ca...