The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling housefly infestations of intensive pig units

The efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis megidis after formulation into a housefly bait was compared with a commercial bait formulation of methomyl for the control of houseflies in a U.K. pig farm. The housefly infestation was confined to the farrowing unit, which consisted of ten farrowing houses, where two adjacent houses were sequentially re-stocked with pregnant sows at weekly intervals. Shortly after re-stocking, one house was baited with one of the nematode species and the other with methomyl. Significantly fewer flies ( P < 0.05) were counted in the houses baited with either S. feltiae or H. megidis than those baited with methomyl. The efficacy of S. feltiae sprayed on to the manure was also compared with methomyl bait. Counts of houseflies carried out in the farrowing cycle before this treatment were not significantly different ( P > 0.05); however, significantly fewer flies ( P < 0.05) occurred after S. feltiae was sprayed. The efficacy of encapsulated S. feltiae was also compared with methomyl bait and no significant difference was observed ( P > 0.05).     

家蝇和大头金蝇在麦麸和猪瘦肉上的产卵选择和发育差异

在中国许多地区, 大头金蝇Chrysomya megacephala F.已侵入过去由家蝇Musca domestica L.占绝对优势的垃圾生态位, 逐渐成为城市蝇类的优势种. 为了解单独和混合饲养时食物种类对家蝇和大头金蝇幼虫生长发育的影响, 在室内观察了野外大头金蝇和家蝇F1代在湿麦麸、猪瘦肉以及两者混合物上的产卵选择和生活史. 结果显示: (1)大头金蝇嗜在含有猪瘦肉的基质上产卵, 而家蝇嗜在含有麦麸的基质上产卵;(2)初孵家蝇和大头金蝇幼虫都能在含有瘦肉的食物上发育至成虫. 在麦麸上, 初孵家蝇幼虫能发育至成虫, 而初孵和2龄大头金蝇幼虫在进入下一龄期前全部死亡, 但少数3龄大头金蝇幼虫能发育至成虫;(3)等量初孵家蝇与大头金蝇在含有猪瘦肉的食物上共同生长时, 与家蝇相比, 大头金蝇的发育历期较短、存活率较高. 与家蝇在麦麸上共同生长时, 与在麦麸上独立生长的同龄大头金蝇相比, 大头金蝇的发育历期较短、存活率较高. 这些结果表明, 共生时家蝇可促进大头金蝇对植物质营养的利用, 这也许是大头金蝇能成功侵入家蝇占绝对优势的垃圾生态位的一个重要原因.     

Biocontrol Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata and O. fagata) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) Infesting Urban Trees

Infectivity and biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against winter moths (Operophtera brumata and O. fagata)pupating in the soil were examined in laboratory, semi-field and field conditions. A pilot experiment conducted in the field showed that Steinernema feltiae was completely ineffective against pupae of these moths in the soil. Subsequent laboratory tests revealed that none of the tested species (i.e. S. feltiae, S. affinae, S. carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis megidis and H. bacteriophora) could colonise the pupae, while mature larvae descending to the soil for pupation and prepupae were highly susceptible to nematode infection. No differences were observed between O. brumata and O. fagata in susceptibility to nematodes. In laboratory experiments H. megidis applied at 1.5×10⁵infective juveniles (IJ) m^-2infected almost 100% of insects exposed for 6 days in the soil. It was significantly more infective than H. bacteriophora (73-77%) and Steinernema species (29-50%). H. megidis was also highly effective in semi-field conditions when applied at an even lower dose, i.e. 10⁵IJ m^-2. After a 45-day experiment, only 3% of insects descending for pupation survived in the soil pre-treated with this species. This was significantly less than in soil with S. feltiae (43%) and control treated with water only (59%). Very high efficacy of H. megidis and a relatively easy method for its field application through ground spraying gives some promise for environmentally safe and successful biological control of winter moths during their pupation in the soil. The low application rate required and recycling in the host could be additional advantages for economic and long lasting protection of high value trees, particularly those in urban parks and forests.     

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) against Tipula paludosa (Diptera: Tipulidae), a turfgrass pest on golf courses

The European crane fly (ECF), Tipula paludosa Meigen feeds on leaves, crowns, and roots of cool-season turfgrasses causing damage to residential lawns and golf courses. A laboratory study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of ECF larvae to four commercial entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species (Heterorhabditis marelatus, H. megidis, Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae). The virulence of four S. feltiae isolates recovered from golf courses in Quebec and Ontario were also compared to a commercial strain. LC₅₀ values of EPN against late instar ECF larvae were 152, 562, 763, and 3584 for S. feltiae, H. megidis, H. marelatus and S. carpocapsae, respectively. When non-feeding (without grass seedling), ECF larvae mortalities decreased for all nematode species and concentrations tested. At 25°C, LC₅₀ values for the two most virulent indigenous S. feltiae were 129 and 187 nematodes/larva, not different from the commercial strain. At 5°C, the commercial S. feltiae was more effective than both BIC14A and RE6A isolates against ECF larvae. However, at 15°C, BIC14A was the most virulent at the low concentration of 200 IJs/larva.     

Critical factors required by the nematode Steinernema feltiae for the control of the leafminers Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza bryoniae and Chromatomyia syngenesiae

The critical factors required by entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of dipteran leafminers were investigated and compared. The foliar application of Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis sp. (strain UK 211) caused a significant reduction in the numbers of dipteran leafminer larvae. There was no significant difference in efficacy between these nematode species against Liriomyza huidobrensis at 20°C and 85–90% r.h. Application of S. feltiae to all three larval instars of L. huidobrensis significantly reduced larval survival, with application to the second instar being the most effective at 20 ± 2°C and 80 ± 10% r.h. Humidities of >90% significantly enhanced the efficacy of S. feltiae. When S. feltiae was applied to second instar larvae, it was equally effective throughout the temperature range 10–30°C. At 20°C and >90% r.h., sufficient nematodes were able to enter the leaf tissues within the first 12 h after application to reduce larval survival to c. 15%. A comparison between L. huidobrensis, L. bryoniue and Chromatomyia syngenesiue indicated that the efficacy of S. feltiae was affected by the same critical factors for all three species.     

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes to pecan weevil larvae, Curculio caryae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the laboratory

The pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), is a key pest of pecans in the Southeast. Entomopathogenic nematodes have been shown to be pathogenic toward the larval stage of this pest. Before this research, only three species of nematodes had been tested against pecan weevil larvae. In this study, the virulence of the following nine species and 15 strains of nematodes toward fourth-instar pecan weevil was tested: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Baine, HP88, Oswego, NJ1, and Tf strains), H. indica Poinar, Karunakar & David (original and Homl strains), H. marelatus Liu & Berry (IN and Point Reyes strains), H. megidis Poinar, Jackson & Klein (UK211 strain), H. zealandica Poinar (NZH3 strain), Steinernema riobrave Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston (355 strain), S. carpocapsae (Weiser) (All strain), S. feltiae (Filipjev) (SN strain), and S. glaseri (Steiner) (NJ43 strain). No significant difference in virulence was detected among nematode species or strains. Nematode-induced mortality was not significantly greater than control mortality (in any of the experiments conducted) for the following nematodes: H. bacteriophora (Baine), H. zealandica (NZH3), S. carpocapsae (All), S. feltiae (SN), S. glaseri (NJ43), and S. riobrave (355). All other nematodes caused greater mortality than the control in at least one experiment. Heterorhabditis megidis (UK211) but not H. indica (original) displayed a positive linear relationship between nematode concentration and larval mortality. Results suggested that, as pecan weevil larvae age, they may have become more resistant to infection with entomopathogenic nematodes.     

Anfälligkeit von entomopathogenen Nematoden gegenüber nematodenfangenden und endoparasitären Pilzen

Abstract Susceptibility of entomopathogenic nematodes to nematode-trapping and endoparasitic fungi
Laboratory tests in petri dishes demonstrated that the nematode-trapping fungi Arthrobotrys superba and A. robusta preyed upon the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema bibionis, S. feltiae and a species of Heterohabditis. Up to 100% of the nematodes were trapped 48 h after application. Large differences existed in the time required for trapping as well as for mortality after trapping and was dependent on the fungal or nematode species studied. Arthrobotrys robusta , reduced S. bibionis densities in sand-block bioassay chambers. The prior introduction of a microphagous nematode, Panagrellus redivivus , to induce trap formation caused a 52% reduction in S. bibionis levels.
The endoparasitic fungi Harposporium anguillulae and Drechmeria coniospora did not parasitize the entomopathogenic nematodes in petri dish tests. However, Verticillium balanoides , was shown to be a parasite of S. bibionis. Predivivus and a mycophagous species of Ditylenchus were more quickly parasitized than S. bibionis , with parasitism reaching 100, 90 and 30% after 42 days, respectively. In the sand-block chambers V. balanoides did not reduce the, number of recovered S. bibionis juveniles after 14 or 28 days.     

Effect of entomopathogenic nematodes on Plectrodera scalator (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Entomopathogenic nematodes were screened for efficacy against the cottonwood borer, Plectrodera scalator (Fabricius). Steinernema feltiae SN and S. carpocapsae All killed 58 and 50% of larvae, respectively, in filter paper bioassays but less than 10% in diet cup bioassays. S. glaseri NJ, S. riobrave TX, and H. indica MG-13 killed less than 10% of larvae in both assays. H. marelata IN was ineffective in the diet cup bioassay and killed 12.9% of larvae in a filter paper bioassay. The nematode isolates we tested are not suitable for use as biological control agents against P. scalator.     

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.     

Parasitism of Western Corn Rootworm Larvae and Pupae by Steinernema carpocapsae

Virulence and development of the insect-parasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (Mexican strain), were evaluated for the immature stages of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Third instar rootworm larvae were five times more susceptible to nematode infection than second instar larvae and 75 times more susceptible than first instar larvae and pupae, based on laboratory bioassays. Rootworm eggs were not susceptible. Nematode development was observed in all susceptible rootworm stages, but a complete life cycle was observed only in second and third instar larvae and pupae. Nematode size was affected by rootworm stage; the smallest infective-stage nematodes were recovered from second instar rootworm larvae. Results of this study suggest that S. carpocapsae should be applied when second and third instar rootworm larvae are predominant in the field.     

Foliar Application of the Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema feltiae Against Leafminers on Vegetables

Data from a comparative study of the efficacy of Steinernema feltiae for the control of three species of leafminer formed the basis of an application schedule which successfully suppressed an outbreak of the statutory leafminer pest, Liriomyza huidobrensis . All three instars of Liriomyza bryoniae and L. huidobrensis were similarly susceptible to S. feltiae at 20 o C and > 90% relative humidity (RH). Although all larval instars of Chromatomyia syngenesiae were susceptible to S. feltiae , mortality was lower than for L. bryoniae . Repeat applications of S. feltiae to L. bryoniae and C. syngenesiae indicated that a nematode treatment to the second/early third instar larvae was more effective than applying higher rates of nematodes when humidities were less than 90% RH. In a trial on lettuce at a commercial glasshouse a mean L. huidobrensis mortality of 82 +/- 5% was recorded after an S. feltiae application, significantly higher than the chemical treatment, heptenophos.     

亚致死剂量阿维菌素和氟虫睛处理小菜蛾对寄生蜂菜蛾绒茧蜂生长发育的影响

分别在小菜蛾体内的菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时,饲喂小菜蛾2龄幼虫亚致死剂量（＝LC₁₀）的阿维菌素和氟虫睛,研究上述杀虫剂处理对寄主体内菜蛾绒茧蜂结茧率和羽化率的影响。结果表明： 在菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时,饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀剂量阿维菌素处理的菜叶后,菜蛾绒茧蜂的结茧率分别下降26.6%,22.8%和5.8%,饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀剂量氟虫睛处理的菜叶后,菜蛾绒茧蜂的结茧率分别下降76.9%,42.5%和18.5%。上述阿维菌素处理对菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率影响不显著,但上述氟虫睛处理可显著抑制菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率,在菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时,饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀ 剂量氟虫睛处理的菜叶可导致菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率分别下降53.1%,36.1%和47.8%。结果显示,即便是对寄主小菜蛾幼虫很低的剂量（LC₁₀剂量）也会显著危害小菜蛾幼虫体内的菜蛾绒茧蜂的生长发育。此外,饲喂小菜蛾幼虫亚致死剂量杀虫剂对菜蛾绒茧蜂生长发育的影响与杀虫剂种类及蛾绒茧蜂发育阶段有关。     

Effects of Application Rates of Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) on Biological Control of the Mushroom Fly Lycoriella auripila (Diptera: Sciaridae)

The potential of Steinernema feltiae for the biological control of Lycoriella auripila was tested in commercial mushroom‐growing conditions. The nematodes, applied at rates of 1.5, 3, 6 or 12 x 10 ⁶ infective juveniles per 34 kg tray of spawn‐run compost, were mixed into the casing material before it was spread over the compost surface. When compared with untreated control trays, any rate of nematode application significantly reduced fly emergence. Insecticides significantly reduced mushroom yields; nematodes significantly increased them. At a rate of 3 x 10 ⁶ infectives/tray S. feltiae elicited mean total increases in the weight and numbers of mushrooms produced of 8% and 11% respectively. The nematodes also reduced the incidence of mushrooms spoiled by tunnelling sciarid larvae. The early decline in the numbers of nematodes persisting in casing was a trend that was reversed later, when evidence was obtained that S. feltiae was recycling in insects that had been killed. When applied at a rate of 3 ‐10⁶infectives/tray of compost S. feltiae should provide reliable and cost‐effective biological control of L. auripila.     

Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in an Alginate Gel Formulation Against Lepidopterous Pests

An improved calcium alginate gel formulation was developed and tested as a carrier for entomopathogenic nematodes against Spodoptera littoralis and Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Mortality of 100% was caused in 4th instar larvae of the two insects by feeding them on 1000 infective juveniles (IJ) g -1 of Steinernema carpocapsae (ALL strain) in the gel for 24 h. Exposing 2nd to 5th instars of H. armigera and 3rd to 6th of S. littoralis to 500 IJ g -1 of S. carpocapsae (ALL strain) resulted in 70-100% larval mortality. Mature larvae were less susceptible to the nematodes. Mortality of larvae exposed to 500 IJg -1 of S. carpocapsae (ALL strain) ranged from about 45-55% at 4 h to 90-95% at 48 h. Fourth instar larvae fed for 24 h with 250 IJ g -1 of nematode strains in gel showed in S. littoralis ranges of susceptibility in the following descending order: S. feltiae (IS -7 strain) = S. carpocapsae (DT strain) = S. feltiae (IS-6 strain) > S. carpocapsae (Mexican strain) = S. carpocapsae (ALL strain) = Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HP-88 strain) = H sp. (IS-5 strain) > S. riobravae (Texas strain); in H. armigera the rating was: S. feltiae (IS-7 strain) = H. bacteriophora (HP88 strain) > S. carpocapsae (ALL strain) = S. feltiae (IS-6 strain ) = Heterorhabditis sp. (IS5 strain) > S. carpocapsae (Mexican strain) > S. riobravae (Texas strain) . The number of nematodes per larval cadaver increased with mortality rates. In greenhouse tests at 28 &#45 2&#176;C and 90% relative humidity, gel discs containing 500 IJ g -1 of nematodes were pinned to leaves of potted plants of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) (Acala SJ2) and the plants were offered to S. littoralis larvae. Larval mortality of 89 &#45 12.7% was caused by S. feltiae (IS-7 strain) and most of the plant leaves were protected against the larvae by the nematodes. In the control, larval mortality was 3.3 &#45 0.05% and the plants were almost completely defoliated. Possibilities of using the gel-nematode formulation to protect sheltered crops against insect pests are discussed     

噻虫嗪对昆虫病原线虫侵染韭菜迟眼蕈蚊能力的影响

【目的】为提高昆虫病原线虫对韭菜迟眼蕈蚊Bradysia odoriphaga Yang et Zhang幼虫的防治效果,将昆虫病原线虫与环境友好型化学杀虫剂混用是一条有效途径。【方法】测定了噻虫嗪与6个昆虫病原线虫品系混用对韭菜迟眼蕈蚊的作用效果,以及温度和土壤含水量对作用效果的影响,并进行了田间验证。【结果】田间推荐浓度噻虫嗪(100 mg·L~(-1))对6种供试线虫存活无显著影响。处理后3 d,低浓度噻虫嗪(15 mg·L~(-1))分别与6品系线虫混合后处理韭菜迟眼蕈蚊幼虫,其死亡率明显高于线虫和噻虫嗪单用处理。小卷蛾斯氏线虫SF-SN+噻虫嗪、印度异小杆线虫LN2+噻虫嗪和小卷蛾斯氏线虫All+噻虫嗪3种组合发挥杀虫作用的最适温度范围分别为20~25℃、25~30℃和25~30℃,显著高于其他温度;最适土壤含水量范围为10%~18%,也显著高于其他湿度。大田条件下,施用后7 d,单用噻虫嗪、线虫+噻虫嗪组合处理对韭菜迟眼蕈蚊的防治效果显著高于单线虫,且以芫菁夜蛾斯氏线虫SF-SN+噻虫嗪的防治效果最高,达到93%以上。【结论】芫菁夜蛾斯氏线虫SF-SN品系与噻虫嗪组合联合防治韭菜迟眼蕈蚊效果最好。     

Successful parasitation of locusts by entomopathogenic nematodes is correlated with inhibition of insect phagocytes

The entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis megidis and Steinernema feltiae turned out to be successful antagonists of the orthopteran insects Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria. The death rate of locusts maintained on nematode-inoculated sand was remarkably high. Even dosages as low as one nematode per cubic centimeter of sand killed approximately 50% of the locusts within 10 days. The impact of parasitation on locusts' immune defense was closely investigated for L. migratoria parasitized by H. megidis. Adult locusts died within 30-35 h after being fed with 50 infective H. megidis juveniles. Within the first 30 h after ingestion of the nematodes, locust hemolymph was assayed for alterations in the humoral and cellular defense components and for the presence of the nematode-associated Photorhabdus luminescens bacteria. Humoral defense was generally low without any correlation to the state of parasitation. There was no detectable activity against Escherichia coli and only little lysozyme-like activity against Micrococcus luteus. In contrast, cellular defense components were strongly influenced by parasitation. Most interestingly, the phagocytic capacity of the hemocytes was already hampered 12 h after oral application of the nematodes, whereas considerable hemocyte death occurred not earlier than 24 h after feeding. The nematode-associated bacteria could be detected in hemolymph of some of the nematode-fed locusts as early as 3 h after feeding and in all hemolymph samples after 24 h. Supernatants from isolated P. luminescens cultures were able to inhibit the L. migratoria phagocytes in vitro; thus the successful parasitation appears to be dependent on an inhibition by bacteria-released compounds rather than on overloading or simply killing of the phagocytic active hemocytes.     

Preliminary laboratory tests with two species of entomophilic nematodes for control of Musca domestica in intensive animal units‡

Two species of entomophilic nematodes, Heterorhabditis heliothidis (NZ strain) and Steinernema feltiae (Agriotos strain) were tested in the laboratory against immature and adult stages of a strain (G) of Musca domestica with multiple insecticide-resistance. Both species of nematodes killed larval stages of M. domestica on inoculated filter papers. S. feltiae was the most virulent parasite, and killed >90% of all larval stages at the two highest doses of 25 000 and 50 000 nematodes per 0·5 ml tap water. No puparia were parasitised by either species. There was no parasitism of the larval stages after exposure to chicken manure treated with nematodes. All adult flies were parasitised after they were exposed to bait-pads previously inoculated with S. feltiae, 93.3% were parasitised by H. heliothidis.     

Selective breeding of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) for improved efficacy in control of a mushroom fly,Lycoriella solani Winnertz (Diptera: Sciaridae)

A method of selecting a Steinernema feltiae strain that is effective against a mushroom fly, Lycoriella solani, is described in detail. The pest control efficacy of the selected nematode strain was evaluated and compared with the efficacy of two unselected strains. The selection procedure was designed to give preference to nematode individuals with the greatest ability (1) to search effectively for the target insect larvae in their natural habitat, (2) to infect them shortly after application and (3) to reproduce in their haemocoel. Thirty‐four rounds of selection achieved a 4‐fold improvement in nematode ability to find and parasitize third‐ and fourth‐instar larvae of the pest in the mushroom substrate. In 24‐h laboratory experiments, mortality of the insect caused by nematode juveniles rose from 22.5%, recorded for the original unselected isolate, to 92.5% for the selected strain. In a 51‐day experiment conducted on a mixed age mushroom house population of L. solani, the enhanced pest control ability of the selected strain was detected shortly after nematode application and remained high throughout the experimental period. During the first 4 weeks of the trial the selected nematode strain was significantly better than both unselected strains and caused 91.1–92.7% reduction of the fly emergence from the mushroom substrate. No difference was observed between the efficacy of the selected nematodes applied at 1 × 10⁶ and 3 ×10⁶ infective juveniles per m², while the unselected strains performed significantly better at the higher concentration. All the nematodes examined showed good persistence in the mushroom casing apparently due to recycling in the insect host.     

Larval morphology and development of Coptera occidentalis

The morphology and development of immature stages of the solitary internal parasitoid Coptera occidentalis were studied within the pupae of their factitious host, Ceratitis capitata. Parasitoid eggs are of the hymenopteriform type. Three larval instars are described. The first instar is of the mandibulate type bearing prominent submandibular appendages and a pair of terminal lobes on the last abdominal segment. The terminal lobes are covered with cuticular spines. The integument also bears cuticular spines arranged in paired dorsal welts on each of body segments V--IX. The second and third instar larvae are hymenopteriform with simple mandibles, reduced submandibular appendages and smooth integument. The third instar has an open tracheal system with three pairs of spiracles on segments II--IV. Considerable variation in development rates of parasitoid immature stages and high percentage of superparasitism were observed. Parasitoid eggs nearly doubled in size during the 96-h incubation. Development from egg to pupa took minimum 25 days and emergence of imagines started on day 42 after parasitization. Superparasitism was recorded in 56% of the examined hosts. The average number of eggs/host was 5.04 (range 1--22). Supernumerary occurrence of successive larval instars per one host was also observed.     

Comparative Assessment of biological (Nematoda: Steinernema feltiae) and chemical methods of control for the mushroom fly Lycoriella auripila (Diptera: Sciaridae)

The sciarid fly Lycoriella auripila is the major pest of mushrooms cultivated in the UK. Its larvae, which are capable of damaging the crop at all stages of production, may cause severe yield losses and can only be controlled with chemical pesticides. An indigenous isolate of the insect‐parasitic nematode Steinemema feltiae was tested as a biological control agent and its effects compared with two commonly used insecticides, diazinon and diflubenzuron. The timing of application of nematodes was found to affect their efficacy. When applied to compost during spawning, nematodes did not significantly reduce fly emergence, but they did if applied at casing when they were almost as effective as diflubenzuron. Diazinon incorporated into compost did not reduce fly emergence and was also the only treatment that did not lower the incidence of mushrooms spoiled by tunnelling of the larvae of L. auripila. When compared with untreated control plots those treated both with diazinon and diflubenzuron showed significant mean losses in yield of 10% in total weight and 17% in total numbers of mushrooms picked. In contrast, when S. feltiae was applied at casing significant mean increases in yield of 7% and 19%, respectively, were attained. Infective nematodes persisted well in casing, very few were found on sporophores.