根结线虫对斜纹夜蛾幼虫生长及营养利用随龄期变化的研究

【目的】为明确南方根结线虫Meloidogyne incognita侵染对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura幼虫的影响是否因幼虫的龄期而异。【方法】采用被南方根结线虫侵染和未被侵染的乌桕叶片饲喂斜纹夜蛾幼虫,并测定不同龄期幼虫的生长（幼虫体重、发育历期、相对生长率）和营养利用（取食量、近似消化率、食物转化率）情况。【结果】随着幼虫龄期的增加,斜纹夜蛾幼虫的取食量及发育历期呈上升趋势,幼虫体重、相对生长率和食物转化率先上升后下降,而近似消化率则先下降后上升。与饲喂未侵染南方根结线虫的乌桕叶片相比,取食线虫侵染的乌桕叶片的斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫近似消化率（0.78±0.07）%显著增加了约30%,但斜纹夜蛾的4龄幼虫体重（0.12±0.04）g、相对生长率（0.20±0.06）g·g^(-1)·d(-1)·d^(-1)和食物转化率（0.54±0.18）%分别降低了61%、36%和73%。线虫侵染处理与龄期互作对斜纹夜蛾的发育历期和取食量无显著影响。【结论】根结线虫侵染对斜纹夜蛾幼虫生长及其营养利用的影响因龄期而异,线虫侵染处理虽显著增加了斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫的近似消化率,但却抑制了其4龄幼虫的生长及其营养利用。     

6种植物次生物质对斜纹夜蛾解毒酶活性的影响

草食性昆虫取食植物时遇到宿主植物中大量次生物质的化学防御,研究昆虫适应植物毒素的反防御策略具有重要的科学意义。分别添加0.01%肉桂酸、0.01%水杨酸、0.01%花椒毒素、0.02%槲皮素、0.05%黄酮和0.1%香豆素等6种植物次生物质的人工饲料饲养斜纹夜蛾(Spodoptera litura)五龄幼虫48 h后,测定斜纹夜蛾幼虫中肠和脂肪体中谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、P450的酶含量及头部乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的活性,利用半定量RT-PCR检测中肠和脂肪体中CYP4M14和CYP4S9的基因表达水平。结果表明:取食肉桂酸和香豆素后,斜纹夜蛾中肠中CarE的酶活性分别提高了1.67和1.37倍,取食6种次生物质均能显著提高斜纹夜蛾脂肪体中GSTs酶活性。取食肉桂酸和香豆素48 h后,脂肪体中P450酶含量比对照增加2.93和14.50倍。取食肉桂酸、花椒毒素、槲皮素和香豆素后,斜纹夜蛾头部AchE酶活性与对照相比提高了1.53、1.80、2.36和1.56倍。6种次生物质均可诱导脂肪体中CYP4M14基因表达,槲皮素、肉桂酸和香豆素强烈诱导CYP4S9在脂肪体中表达。表明,斜纹夜蛾具有利用植物次生物质诱导其解毒酶的能力,进而提高其对毒素的抗性。     

根结线虫对两种不同食性昆虫生长及营养利用的影响比较

植物地上与地下植食性天敌常因同一寄主植物而发生复杂的相互作用,互作类型因天敌的食性而异。本研究以乌桕地下病害南方根结线虫、地上害虫(专食性癞皮夜蛾Gadirtha inexacta、广食性斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura)为研究对象,比较被南方根结线虫侵染的乌桕叶片对2种不同食性昆虫生长指标(末龄幼虫体重、相对生长速率)和营养利用(取食量、消化率、转化率)的影响差异。结果表明,线虫处理组癞皮夜蛾幼虫的末龄幼虫体重、相对生长速率和转化率均显著低于对照组,而取食量和消化率无显著差异;线虫处理组斜纹夜蛾幼虫的末龄幼虫体重、相对生长速率、取食量及转化率均显著高于对照组,但消化率差异不显著。由此说明,根结线虫对两种地上昆虫生长发育和营养利用的影响受到天敌食性的影响:线虫侵染对癞皮夜蛾幼虫产生抑制效应,而对斜纹夜蛾幼虫产生促进效应。     

昆虫病原线虫对草原毛虫幼虫的致病力

草原毛虫Gynaephora alpherakii是青藏高原草原的主要害虫。国家明令禁止使用化学药剂防控这一害虫。因此,有必要以生物农药控制这种害虫。本试验室内测定5种昆虫病原线虫（Steinernema longicaudum X-7,S. carpocapsae All,S. feltiae SN,Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06和H. indica LN2）对草原毛虫的致病力。结果表明,S. carpocapsae All、S. feltiae SN两种线虫对草原毛虫的侵染效果较好。适宜S. carpocapsae All、S. feltiae SN线虫的侵染活动的环境温度为25℃;低温环境下两种线虫随着剂量的提高,对草原毛虫的致病力均有着显著地增长（P<0.05）,且S. feltiae SN线虫的活性高于S. carpocapsae All线虫。因此,昆虫病原线虫S. feltiae SN品系具有效防治青藏高原高寒草地草原毛虫的应用潜力。     

苦瓜素Ⅰ对斜纹夜蛾几丁质酶基因(SlCht)和几丁质合成酶基因(SlCHS-A)表达及其生长发育的影响

【目的】几丁质酶和几丁质合成酶对昆虫的变态发育极其重要。本研究旨在阐明苦瓜素Ⅰ对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura几丁质酶和几丁质合成酶基因表达及其生长发育的影响。【方法】利用RT-qPCR检测斜纹夜蛾几丁质酶基因(SlCht)和几丁质合成酶基因(SlCHS-A)在斜纹夜蛾不同发育阶段(卵、幼虫、预蛹、蛹和成虫)和4-6龄幼虫不同组织(体壁、中肠、脂肪体、血细胞、头部和马氏管)中的表达水平以及注射苦瓜素Ⅰ溶液(4 μg/头) 24, 48和72 h时斜纹夜蛾SlCht和SlCHS-A在6龄幼虫各组织中的表达水平。分析在斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫中注射不同浓度(31.25, 62.5, 125, 250和500 ng/头)的苦瓜素Ⅰ溶液对幼虫和蛹历期、幼虫增重、蛹重、蛹长度、化蛹率、羽化率和存活率的影响,并利用体视显微镜观察斜纹夜蛾幼虫的表型变化。【结果】SlCht和SlCHS-A在斜纹夜蛾中的表达具有发育阶段特异性。SlCht和SlCHS-A在卵期表达量最高,幼虫期和预蛹期的表达量较低;在各幼虫期又表现为6龄幼虫期表达量最高,在其他龄期的表达量低。SlCht和SlCHS-A在斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫中也显示出组织特异性表达,在血细胞和体壁中高表达,在头部、中肠和脂肪体中低表达。在斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫中注射苦瓜素Ⅰ能诱导SlCht和SlCHS-A在其各组织中表达量降低;在4龄幼虫中注射苦瓜素Ⅰ后,斜纹夜蛾的生长发育受到抑制,幼虫增重延缓,发育历期延长,化蛹率下降甚至化蛹失败,幼虫及蛹出现较高的畸形率。【结论】苦瓜素Ⅰ可通过诱导SlCht和SlCHS-A表达量的降低来实现对斜纹夜蛾生长发育的抑制作用。本研究为进一步阐明苦瓜素对斜纹夜蛾生长发育的抑制机制提供了新的理论基础,并为进一步应用苦瓜素Ⅰ进行防控奠定了基础。     

不同昆虫取食对烟草信号分子和防御酶的影响

以烟草Nicotiana tabacum L.品种'MS K326'为研究材料,采用生化分析法研究了 3种昆虫取食对烟草防御信号分子含量和防御酶活性的影响.结果显示:棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera Hübner取食后,烟叶中的JA、NO含量分别在48 h、24 h时达到最高,为对照的1.1倍和1.35倍,斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura Fabricius和烟蚜Myzus persicae Sulzer取食后,烟叶中的JA、NO含量分别较对照降低7.1％、33.33％和10.38％、60％;棉铃虫和斜纹夜蛾取食后H2S含量均在6 h达到最高,分别较对照增加25.36％和73.7％,烟蚜取食后H2S含量则在48 h时达到峰值,较对照增加77.03％.棉铃虫取食下烟叶内PAL、PPO和POD均呈先降低后增加的波动性变化,分别在72 h、48 h和48 h时较对照显著升高;斜纹夜蛾取食后,烟叶内PAL和POD与棉铃虫取食存在相似变化趋势,分别在72 h和24 h时升至峰值,PPO活性呈持续升高趋势,12 h时达到最高;棉铃虫或斜纹夜蛾取食后,烟叶内LOX活性受到抑制,分别在72 h和48 h时降至最低;烟蚜取食后,烟叶内PAL活性呈先降低后增加的波动性变化,仅在48 h时较对照显著升高,LOX、PPO和POD则均呈先升高后降低的波动趋势,分别在6h、6 h和12 h时较对照显著升高.综上说明,昆虫取食诱导烟株激活体内生理防御机制差异与昆虫的种类、取食方式及取食时间相关,该结果为烟草生产中外源诱导增强烟草抗性及与昆虫相关的化学激发子的开发提供参考.     

抗虫和感虫大豆混播对产量及害虫种群发生和昆虫群落多样性影响

[目的]利用大豆高抗虫和高感虫品种混播,明确有效控害保产的最优比例,以实现大豆生产中有效的害虫生态防控和提高大豆产量.[方法]本研究选取高抗(Lamar;R)和与高感(JLNMH;S)斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura的大豆品种,进行不同比例的种子混播种植(即R、S单作,90％R和10％S(9R1S)、80％R和20％S(8R2S)、70％R和30％S(7R3S)、50％R和50％S(5R5S)混播),探究对大豆产量和主要害虫种群发生及昆虫群落多样性的影响.[结果]不同比例混播处理间斜纹夜蛾和筛豆龟蝽Megacopta cribraria的百株虫量无显著差异,但均显著低于S单作.混播处理8R2S和9R 1S以及R单作下昆虫群落多样性指数(H)和均匀度指数(E)显著高于其他试验处理,而优势度指数(C)显著低于其他试验处理.此外,昆虫群落丰富度指数(D)随着高感虫大豆混播比例的增加而降低;其中,混播处理8R2S和9R1S,以及R单作都显著高于S单作.对于大豆产量,混播处理显著影响大豆百株籽粒重,但对千粒重的影响不明显.其中,R单作和9R1S混播方式下大豆百株籽粒重最高,且有随着高抗虫品种(R)混播比例的增加而提高的趋势.[结论]高抗虫和高感虫品种混播可有效降低大豆主要害虫发生,且R混播比例≥80％能有效提高昆虫群落多样性、均匀度和丰富度,并对大豆产量提高有利.大豆生产中,建议采用80％以上的高抗虫品种与高感虫品种混播以实现大豆控害保产的生态防控效果.     

斜纹夜蛾信息素结合蛋白SlitPBP4的分子克隆、组织表达谱及结合特性分析

【目的】鉴定斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura新的信息素结合蛋白(pheromone binding protein,PBP)基因,明确其在斜纹夜蛾不同组织中的表达水平并探讨其功能。【方法】基于已报道的烟草天蛾Manduca sexta、家蚕Bombyx mori、君主斑蝶Danaus plexippus和庆网蛱蝶Melitaea cinxia 4种非夜蛾科昆虫PBP4同源基因的序列特点及与其他PBP基因在染色体上的相邻关系,通过分析实验室先前克隆到的斜纹夜蛾PBP/GOBP基因序列,克隆斜纹夜蛾PBP4同源基因;通过RT-PCR和q PCR技术测定该基因在斜纹夜蛾雌雄成虫不同组织中的表达水平;利用体外表达和荧光竞争性结合实验测定斜纹夜蛾PBP4蛋白对性信息素组分和植物气味物质的结合能力。【结果】在夜蛾科昆虫斜纹夜蛾中鉴定到首个PBP4基因,命名为Slit PBP4(Gen Bank登录号:MG356847),c DNA编码210个氨基酸,具有N末端信号肽、疏水性气味分子结合域及6个保守半胱氨酸等PBP的典型序列特征,其基因组DNA在保守位置也含有2个内含子;但和已报道的斜纹夜蛾3个PBP相比,PBP4的C末端明显较长。Slit PBP4在雄成虫腹部(生殖系统)极高表达,在雌雄成虫触角及其他组织中仅微弱表达或不表达。荧光竞争性结合实验结果表明,Slit PBP4蛋白与被测定的信息素组分及植物气味物质均没有明显结合能力。【结论】报道了夜蛾科昆虫的首个PBP4基因,该基因可能主要参与雄虫生殖相关的生理过程而非嗅觉功能。     

噻虫啉亚致死剂量对斜纹夜蛾解毒酶系活性与生长繁殖的影响

【目的】斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura(Fabricius)是一种重要农业害虫,因药物、外界环境等选择压力的不同,造成其生长发育有所差异。噻虫啉是第二代氯代烟碱类杀虫剂,对昆虫烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体有很强的激动作用。本实验旨在探讨噻虫啉对斜纹夜蛾的亚致死效应,为斜纹夜蛾的综合防治和噻虫啉的合理使用提供理论依据。【方法】采用饲料混毒法,测定噻虫啉对斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫的毒力,确定其亚致死剂量LC25和LC50。通过离体酶活性测定,分析噻虫啉亚致死剂量对斜纹夜蛾体内羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽-S转移酶和多功能氧化酶3种代谢解毒酶活性的影响。记录各个年龄阶段的生长发育、繁殖力以及种群增长等数据,应用特征年龄-龄期及两性生命表方法分析LC25和LC50剂量处理和对照的斜纹夜蛾子代(F1)两性生命表参数的差异。【结果】以LC25和LC50剂量处理斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫48 h,羧酸酯酶活性均受到明显诱导,分别升高了14.2%和45.1%;谷胱甘肽-S转移酶活性受到明显的抑制,分别降低了9.8%和37.1%;而多功能氧化酶活性均低于对照,其抑制作用与浓度成正比,但差异不显著。LC25和LC50剂量处理斜纹夜蛾幼虫后,子代(F1)的成虫前期分别比对照延长了3.05 d和4.80 d,雄成虫寿命分别缩短了2.06 d和3.31 d,雌成虫寿命分别缩短了0.13 d和0.92 d;其单雌产卵量均显著减少,分别降低了17.7%和33.3%;化蛹率分别降低了10.7%和11.4%;两个处理的内禀增长率(r)、周限增长率(λ)和净增殖率(R0)均显著小于对照,平均世代时间(T)均明显延长。【结论】羧酸酯酶可能为斜纹夜蛾对噻虫啉解毒代谢过程中的主要解毒酶,在其后续抗性形成中起主要作用;噻虫啉亚致死剂量对斜纹夜蛾的生长、发育、繁殖有显著的抑制作用。     

昆虫病原线虫对腰果细蛾的致病力测定

室内测定了Steinernema carpocapsae All、S.carpocapsae Biosys、S.glaseri NC52、S.longicaudum X-7、Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06和H.indica LN2共6个昆虫病原线虫品系对腰果细蛾Acrocercops syngramma Meyrick幼虫的致病力。结果表明,线虫S.carpocapsae All、Biosys品系与线虫S.glaseri NC52对腰果细蛾幼虫的致死效果显著高于其它线虫,但供试的6个线虫品系均未能在腰果细蛾幼虫体内繁殖下一代,说明供试线虫在腰果细蛾幼虫体内难以繁殖。选择小卷蛾斯氏线虫S.carpocapsae All进一步研究其对腰果细蛾的致病力,结果发现,All线虫对腰果细蛾3龄幼虫处理24 h后的致死中浓度LC50为19.88 IJs/虫。腰果细蛾各龄幼虫和蛹对小卷蛾斯氏线虫S.carpocapsae All均表现出高度的敏感性,但不同幼虫龄期和处理时间敏感程度不同。小卷蛾斯氏线虫S.carpocapsae All对不同龄期腰果细蛾幼虫和蛹均表现出较强的致病力。     

RECOVERY RESPONSE OF HETERORHABDITIS BACTERIOPHORA AND STEINERNEMA CARPOCAPSAE TO DIFFERENT NON‐SYMBIOTIC MICROORGANISMS*

Abstract Axenic Steinernema carpocapsae Agriotos (A24) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06 dauer juveniles were exposed to Spodoptera litura insect cell cultures, and the cell‐free filtrates or cells of different non‐symbiotic microorganism cultures, including Bacillus subtilis, B. thuringiensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Micromonospora purpurea, Rhizopus delemar, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces antibioticus, Penicillium citrnum, Ganoderma lucidum, Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Rhizobium legumiunosarum, and Photobacterium phosphoreum. None of these cell‐free filtrates or cultures, or insect cell culture triggered recovery of H. bacteriophora H06. However, cell‐free filtrate of P. phosphoreum induced recovery of S. carpocapsae A24, although the cell culture of this bacterium kill the A24 dauer juveniles before recovery. S. litura insect cells provided the nutrients for axenic S. carpocapsae A24 nematode growth and next generation of dauer juveniles were observed. These results further demonstrated that food signals were much more specific to H. bacteriophora than to S. carpocapsae.     

Pathogenicity, development, and reproduction of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae under axenic in vivo conditions

Galleria mellonella larvae cultured axenically were treated with axenic dauer juveniles of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae. After 3 days S. carpocapsae had killed all insects, with 9.4 +/- 4.3 nematodes per larva. H. bacteriophora were unable to kill G. mellonella, although 13.3 +/- 6.4 nematodes per Galleria were found in the hemocoel. Invading nematodes of both strains recovered from the dauer stage. H. bacteriophora developed into hermaphrodites with eggs and J1 in the uterus and in the hemolymph of the living insects. Development beyond the J1 stage was not recorded. An injection of supernatants from different Photorhabdus luminescens cultures killed the insects but could not provide nutrients to support a further development. Only the injection of bacterial cells supported production of dauers in the axenic insects. Axenic S. carpocapsae developed to adults and produced offspring. After 3 weeks an average of 5275 nematodes per larva were counted, of which 6.7% were dauer juveniles, 39.2% other juvenile stages, 11.9% males, and 42.2% females. Compared to in vivo reproduction in the presence of the symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophilus the dauer juvenile yields were low. Even after 5 weeks the percentage of dauer juveniles did not surpass 10%.     

Effect of Photorhabdus luminescens phase variants on the in vivo and in vitro development and reproduction of the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae

Photorhabdus luminescens (Enterobacteriaceae) is a symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis spp. (Nematoda: Rhabditida) used for biological control of insect pests. For industrial mass production, the nematodes are produced in liquid media, pre-incubated with their bacterial symbiont, which provides nutrients essential for the nematode's development and reproduction. Particularly under in vitro conditions, P. luminescens produces phase variants, which do not allow normal nematode development. The phase variants were distinguished based on dye absorption, pigmentation, production of antibiotic substances, occurrence of crystalline inclusion proteins and bioluminescence. To understand the significance of the phase shift for the symbiotic interaction between the bacterium and the nematode, feeding experiments tested the effect of homologous and heterologous P. luminescens phase variants isolated from a Chinese Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HO6), the Heterorhabditis megidis type strain from Ohio (HNA) and the type strain of Heterorhabditis indica (LN2) on the in vivo and in vitro development and reproduction of the nematode species H. bacteriophora (strain HO6) and another rhabditid and entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (A24). In axenically cultured insect larvae (Galleria mellonella) and in vitro in liquid media, H. bacteriophora produced offspring on phase I of its homologous symbiont and on the heterologous symbiont of H. megidis, but not on the two corresponding phase II variants. In solid media, nematode yields were much lower on phase II than on phase I variants. On the heterologous phase I symbiont isolated from H. indica the development of H. bacteriophora was not beyond the fourth juvenile stage of the nematode in any of the media tested, but further progressed on phase II with even a small amount of offspring recorded in solid media. Infective juveniles of S. carpocapsae did not develop beyond the J3 stage on all phase I P. luminescens. They died in phase I P. luminescens isolated from H. bacteriophora. Development to adults was recorded for S. carpocapsae on all phase II symbionts and offspring were produced in all media except in liquid. It is concluded that a lack of essential nutrients or the production of toxins is not responsible for the negative impact of homologous phase II symbiont cells on the development and reproduction of H. bacteriophora. The infective juveniles of H. bacteriophora retained cells of the homologous phase I symbiont, but not phase II cells and cells from heterologous symbionts, indicating that the transmission of the symbiont by the infective juvenile is selective for phase I cells and the homologous bacterial associate.     

Differences between the pathogenic processes induced by Steinernema and Heterorhabditis (Nemata: Rhabditida) in Pseudaletia unipuncta (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Larvae of Pseudaletia unipuncta are moderately susceptible to infections caused by entomopathogenic nematodes, being a desirable host to study pathogenic processes caused by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema carpocapsae, and Steinernema glaseri and their associated bacteria. The ability of the infective stage of these nematodes to invade hosts is quite different. S. carpocapsae invades the highest number of insects and presents the highest penetration rate, followed by H. bacteriophora. Regression analysis between the number of insects parasitized and the number of IJs counted per insect, over time, showed a high correlation for S. carpocapsae whereas for H. bacteriophora it was low. Dose-response was most evident at a concentration below 100 IJs per insect on H. bacteriophora, whereas on S. carpocapsae it was found for doses ranging from 100 to 2,000 IJs. Student's t test analysis of dose-response showed parallel, yet unequal, slopes for both strains of H. bacteriophora, whereas distinct regressions were obtained for S. carpocapsae and S. glaseri, thus, evidencing each species develop a distinct pathogenic process. Insects injected with Photorhabdus luminescens died within 50 h after injection, whereas those treated with X. nematophila died much later. Moreover, the mortality in insects exposed to H. bacteriophora complex and injected with P. luminescens was close, but insects injected with bacteria died faster. Insect mortality in treatments with complexes S. carpocapsae and S. glaseri was significantly higher than that which was observed in insects injected with symbiotic bacteria.     

Multiple-species natural enemy approach for biological control of alfalfa snout beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using entomopathogenic nematodes

Multiple-species natural enemy approach for the biological control of the alfalfa snout beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was compared with using single-species of natural enemies in the alfalfa ecosystem by using entomopathogenic nematodes with different dispersal and foraging behaviors. Steinernema carpocapsae NY001 (ambush nematode), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Oswego (cruiser nematode), and Steinernema feltiae Valko (intermediate nematode) were applied in single-species, two-species combinations, and one three-species combination treatments at 2.5 x 10(9) infective juveniles per hectare. All nematode species persisted for a full year (357 d). S. carpocapsae NY001 protected the plants from root-feeding damage better than H. bacteriophora Oswego but allowed for higher larval survival than all other nematode treatments. S. feltiae Valko protected the plants better than H. bacteriophora Oswego and controlled alfalfa snout beetle larvae better than S. carpocapsae NY001. H. bacteriophora Oswego allowed for similar root damage compared with control plots but reduced larval populations better than S. carpocapsae NY001. The combination of S. carpocapsae NY001 and H. bacteriophora Oswego provided significantly better protection for the plants than the control (unlike H. bacteriophora Oswego alone) and reduced host larva survival more than S. carpocapsae NY001 alone. The combination S. feltiae Valko and H. bacteriophora Oswego could not be statistically separated from the performance of S. feltiae Valko applied alone.     

Tank-Mix compatibility of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae, with selected chemical pesticides used in turfgrass

We evaluated the compatibility of two entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 and Steinernema carpocapsae All strain with selected pesticide formulations used in turfgrass in tank-mixes under laboratory conditions. The nematodes were exposed to the recommended rates of pesticides applied in either 100, 300, or 500 L/ha tank-mix volumes in 24-well plates at room temperature for 3 h and infective juveniles (IJ) viability determined, and then tested against Galleria mellonella larvae at 22-26°C for 96 h to assess IJ pathogenicity. We found that S. carpocapsae viability was not affected by any of the pesticides, while aluminum tris and trichlorfon significantly reduced S. carpocapsae pathogenicity at all concentrations. Thiamethoxam and trichlorfon significantly reduced H. bacteriophora viability, while halofenozide, aluminum tris, trichlorfon, and carbaryl significantly reduced H. bacteriophora pathogenicity. Imidacloprid, at the recommended rate 330-440 g AI/ha, significantly increased H. bacteriophora pathogenicity at 500 and 300 L/ha application volume. The integration of these nematode pesticide combinations in turf pest management programs is discussed.     

Host cadavers protect entomopathogenic nematodes during freezing

The entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema glaseri, and Steinernema feltiae were exposed to freezing while inside their hosts. Survival was assessed by observing live and dead nematodes inside cadavers and by counting the infective juveniles (IJs) that emerged after freezing. We (1) measured the effects of 24h of freezing at different times throughout the course of an infection, (2) determined the duration of freezing entomopathogenic nematodes could survive, (3) determined species differences in freezing survival. Highest stage-specific survival was IJs for S. carpocapsae, and adults for H. bacteriophora. When cadavers were frozen two or three days after infection, few IJs emerged from them. Freezing between five and seven days after infection had no negative effect on IJ production. No decrease in IJ production was measured for H. bacteriophora after freezing. H. bacteriophora also showed improved survival inside versus outside their host when exposed to freezing.     

病原线虫对桔小实蝇种群的控制作用

通过室内和田间实验研究了昆虫病原线虫对桔小实蝇Bactrocera (Bactrocera) dorsalis (Hendel)的控制作用。室内实验结果表明,供试的3种线虫的4个品系（小卷蛾斯氏线虫Steinernema carpocapsae All品系与A24品系,夜蛾斯氏线虫Steinernema feltiae SN品系和嗜菌异小杆线虫Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06品系）,以小卷蛾斯氏线虫All品系对桔小实蝇的侵染力最强,其3天的LD₅₀和LD₉₅分别为35.0和257.1条/cm²土壤。按300条/cm²土壤的量施用,小卷蛾斯氏线虫All品系对当代桔小实蝇的控制效果为86.3%。用以虫期作用因子组建的生命表方法评价了小卷蛾斯氏线虫All品系对田间桔小实蝇下代种群的控制作用,结果表明,按300条/cm²土壤的量施用线虫,对照杨桃园的桔小实蝇种群趋势指数为105.9,而处理杨桃园的桔小实蝇种群趋势指数下降为15.5;小卷蛾斯氏线虫All品系对桔小实蝇的干扰控制指数为0.146,即线虫处理果园的下代种群密度仅为对照果园的14.6%。     

Controlling the sugar beet fly Pegomyia mixta Vill. with entomopathogenic nematodes

Sugar beet, Beta vulgaris L. is a strategic crop of sugar industry in Egypt. It is threatened by several insect pests among most important of them is the beet fly Pegomyia mixta. This work deals with the biological control of this insect using four entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). The nematodes included Steinernema carpocapsae S2, Steinernema feltiae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HB1-3) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora S1. Daily mortality of larvae and pupae of P. mixta were recorded after treatment with serial concentrations (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 infective juveniles (IJs)/ml) of each of four studied EPNs. In the laboratory all tested nematodes killed the larvae inside their mines in the sugar beet leaves and developed in their bodies in different extends. They also killed the insect pupae in the soil and developed in their bodies. Young larvae were more susceptible than old ones. New pupae were more susceptible than old ones. In the field a single spray of S. feltiae or H. bacteriophora caused 81.3 or 75.9% reduction in the larval population of the in sugar beet leaves.     

Impact of the host cadaver on survival and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) under desiccating conditions

Entomopathogenic nematode species of Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema riobrave, or Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were used to compare survival and infectivity among infective juveniles (IJs) emerging in water from hosts in White traps (treatment a), emerging in sand from hosts placed in sand (treatment c), and emerging from hosts placed on a mesh suspended over sand (treatment m). Nematode survival and infectivity was recorded in sand at three-day intervals during 21 days of storage in desiccators at 75% relative humidity and 25 degrees C. Infectivity was measured by exposing 5 Galleria mellonella for 16 h to IJs. Treatment did not affect percent survival of H. bacteriophora IJs. Percent survival of S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae IJs was lowest in treatment a. Across all treatments, by 10 days after the beginning of the experiments, IJ survival declined to 93, 43, and 28% of levels on day 1 for H. bacteriophora, S. riobrave, and S. carpocapsae, respectively. For the three treatments, infection rate over time was described by a negative exponential function for S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae and by a sigmoid function for H. bacteriophora.