A survey of insect parasitic nematodes in Northern Ireland

A survey of insect parasitic nematodes was carried out in Northern Ireland between November 1986 and June 1987. A total of 1093 soils were examined using Galleria mellonella larvae as bait. Nematodes were recovered from 41 of these soils. The rate of recovery declined from February onwards and possible reasons for this are discussed. Clay and clay loam types accounted for 56·1% of the survey samples but only 9·8% of the recovered nematode populations. Loams comprised 39·6% of samples and 85·4% of nematodes, indicating a greater likelihood of recovering insect parasitic nematodes from lighter soils. The nematodes were also recovered from peat soils (4·3% of samples and 4·9% of nematodes). All the recovered isolates were Neoaplectana bibionis.