A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in the north-west of Iran

Abstract

Summary - During 2002During -2004, a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted for the first time in Iran throughout the three provinces in the north-west of the country. Soil samples were tested for the presence of steinernematid and heterorhabditid nematodes by baiting with Galleria mellonella larvae. Of the 833 soil samples studied 27 were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes (3.2%), with 17 (2.0%) containing Heterorhabditis and ten (1.2%) Steinernema isolates. Morphological and molecular studies were carried out to characterise isolates. The Heterorhabditis isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema as Steinernema carpocapsae, S. bicornutum and S. feltiae. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was the most common species, which was isolated from 17 sites across the three provinces. Steinernema feltiae was the most common species of Steinernema, which was isolated from eight sites but in only two provinces. Steinernema carpocapsae and S. bicornutum were each isolated from only one site. Steinernema spp. were isolated mainly from orchards and grasslands but Heterorhabditis was isolated mainly from grasslands and alfalfa fields.

Natural occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in Nepal

“…This conforms many other reports that mobility and survival of EPN are favoured in soils with high sand content (Hazir et al, 2003;Kary et al, 2009). Most of the positive samples (89.65%) were from acidic soil.…”

A survey of entomopathogenic nematode species in continental Portugal

“…Furthermore, the choice of sampling sites may contribute to differences in EPN recovery percentage . However, this low recovery percentage is not unusual, and it has already been reported from other surveys (Rosa et al, 2000;Hazir et al, 2003;Kary et al, 2009). Furthermore, the low H. bacteriophora recovery rate compared to Steinernema spp.…”

Isolation and identification of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) from the Eastern Black Sea region and their biocontrol potential against Melolontha melolontha (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) larvae

“…Based on the previous survey results (Susurluk, 2007), H. bacteriophora was firstly reported from the eastern part of Turkey. In a study conducted in northwestern Iran, which shares a border region with Turkey and has similar climatic conditions, Kary et al (2009) also found that H. bacteriophora was the most common species, followed by S. feltiae. The natural distributions of heterorhabditids and steinernematids are affected by climatic and geographical variations (Yoshida et al, 1998).…”

“…Second, only room temperature was used for baiting the soil samples during EPN isolation. Third, a high rate of chemical pesticides is being used to control pests in agricultural areas (Kary et al, 2009). Another reason may be the sample size.…”