Natural Occurrence of Entomogenous Nematodes in Tennessee Nursery Soils

Authors

  • L. M. Rueda
  • S. O. Osawaru
  • L. L. Georgi
  • R. E. Harrison

Abstract

To isolate potential insect biocontrol agents, entomogenous nematodes were surveyed in Tennessee plant nurseries in 1991. Soil samples from 113 nursery sites were baited with greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae, house cricket (Acheta domesticus) adults, lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperings) adults, and house fly (Musca domestica) larvae. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocgpsae were each recovered from 17 soil samples. Heterovhabditis bacteriaphora was more common in habitats with crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) and Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) than other nursery plants, and S. carpocapsae was more frequently recovered from habitats with juniper and Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). Bulk density, electrical Conductivity, organic matter, pH, temperature, and moisture content of the entomogenous-nematode positive soil samples were compared. Other nematode genera recovered with insect baits included Rhabditis sp., Pelodera sp., Cryptaphelenchoides sp., and Mesodiplogaster sp., which was recovered from a greater percentage of soil samples than the other five genera. Key words: Acheta, Alphitobius, biological control, Cryptaphelenchoides, distribution, entomogenous nematode, Heterorhabditis, Mesodiplogaster, Mgsca, nursery plant, Pelodera, Rhabditis, Steinernema, survey.

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Published

1993-06-15

Issue

Vol. 25, No. 2 (June 1993)

Section

Articles

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