Laboratory Virulence of Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Two Ornamental Plant Pests, Corythucha ciliata (Hemiptera: Tingidae) and Stethobaris nemesis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Authors

  • David I. Shapiro-Ilan
  • Russell F. Mizell III

Abstract

Ornamental flowers, shrubs and trees are economically important commodities in the US and around the globe. In this study we evaluated the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes to control two important ornamental pests: 1) Corythucha ciliata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a native lace bug that attacks the foliage of sycamore trees, and 2) the recently described exotic pest, Stethobaris nemesis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a weevil that attacks amaryllis leaves and bulbs. In the laboratory, the virulence of six entomopathogenic nematode strains (comprising five species) was evaluated on sycamore leaf discs for potential to control C. ciliata, and four nematode species were evaluated for control of S. nemesis. Heterorhabditis indica (HOM1) exhibited higher virulence to C. ciliata than H. bacteriophora (Baine and Oswego strains), H. georgiana (Kesha), and Steinernema riobrave (355); S. carpocapsae (All) virulence was not statistically separated from the other nematodes with the exception of H. bacteriophora (Oswego) (which exhibited the lowest virulence). Additionally, among the six nematodes tested, H. indica (HOM1) produced the highest level of infective juveniles in C. ciliata. Steinernema carpocapsae (All) exhibited the highest virulence to control S. nemesis (in well-plates containing soil), yet both S. carpocapsae (All) and S. feltiae (SN) exhibited high virulence after only 1d post-treatment. The other nematodes tested for S. nemesis suppression, H. bacteriophora (Hb) and H. indica (HOM1), also showed high levels of virulence particularly at 3 d post-treatment. Our results indicate that several entomopathogenic nematodes offer potential for control of C. ciliata and S. nemesis and thus additional research, e.g., field studies, is warranted.

Resumen: Las flores, arbustos y árboles ornamentales son productos de importancia económica en US y el resto del mundo. En este estudio evaluamos el potencial de nematodos entomopatógenos para controlar dos plagas importantes de plantas ornamentales: 1) Corythucha ciliata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), un chinche de encaje nativo que ataca el follaje de arboles de sicomoro, y 2) una plaga exótica recientemente descrita, Stethobaris nemesis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), un picudo que ataca bulbos y hojas de amaryllis. Bajo condiciones de laboratorio se evaluó la virulencia de seis cepas de nematodos entomopatógenos (abarcando cinco especies) sobre discos de hojas de sicomoro para el control de C. ciliate, y cuatro especies de nematodos para el control de S. nemesis. Heterorhabditis indica (HOM1) mostro mayor virulencia en C. ciliata que H. bacteriophora (cepas Baine y Oswego), H. georgiana (Kesha), y Steinernema riobrave (355); la virulencia de S. carpocapsae (All) no fue significativamente diferente a la de los otros nematodos, con la excepción de H. bacteriophora (Oswego) (el cual mostro la virulencia más baja). Entre los seis nematodos evaluados, H. indica (HOM1) produjo el nivel más alto de juveniles infectivos en C. ciliata. Steinernema carpocapsae (All) mostro mayor virulencia para controlar a S. nemesis (en platos con pozos llenos de suelo), aunque ambos S. carpocapsae (All) y S. feltiae (SN) mostraron alta virulencia 1 d después del tratamiento. Los otros nematodos evaluados para suprimir S. nemesis, H. bacteriophora (Hb) y H. indica (HOM1), también mostraron niveles altos de virulencia particularmente 3 d después del tratamiento. Nuestros resultados indican que varios nematodos entomopatógenos ofrecen potencial para el control de C. ciliata y S. nemesis, en consecuencia más investigaciones e.g., estudios de campo, están garantizados.

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Published

2012-12-01

Issue

Vol. 95, No. 4 (December 2012)

Section

Research Papers

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