Pathogenicity and culture of a Heterorhabditis indica isolate from Thailand

Publication Type:Journal Article
:2011
Authors:M. Maketon, Somsook, V., Rattanakorn, P., Hotaka, D.
Journal:Nematropica
Volume:41
Pagination:52-61
Date Published:Jun
:0099-5444
:Sitophilus zeamais
:

An isolate of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis indica, designated "T2," was collected in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The life cycle of T2 in Galleria mellonella larvae required 10 days and two generations at 25[degree]C. The first generation was hermaphroditic and the second was amphimictic. Survival of infective-stage juveniles in water-filled sponges at 15[degree]C was 81% after 1 month. In the laboratory, T2 was able to penetrate and kill Aphis gossypii, Spodoptera exigua, Sitophilus zeamais, Tenebrio molitor, Bactrocera correcta, and Coptotermis gestroi but reproduced poorly in all of these hosts except S. exigua. In G. mellonella, T2 reproduced best at 25[degree]C, and the optimum soil moisture for infection was 7 to 9%. Isolate T2 reared on yeast salt broth caused 84% mortality 2 days after inoculation of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) third-instar larvae. The best artificial medium for mass-rearing H. indica T2 was modified yeast salt broth containing 2.0% soluble starch, 1.5% yeast extract, 2.5% nutrient broth, 1.0% lard, and 2.0% MgCl2[center dot]6H2O.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith