Nontarget Effect of Entomopathogenic Nematodes on Larvae of Twospotted Lady Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Green Lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The nontarget effect of Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, and three mixed suspensions of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes on the larvae of the twospotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and on the larvae of the lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), were studied in a laboratory bioassay. The assay was performed at three temperature (15, 20, and 25 degrees C) and at three different concentrations of the suspension (500, 2,500, and 5,000 infective juveniles [IJs]/ml). The larvae of A. bipunctata were more susceptible to nematode attack than the larvae of C. carnea. Four days after treatment, significantly the lowest mortality of A. bipunctata and C. carnea larvae was recorded at 15 degrees C, whereas no significant differences were noted between 20 and 25 degrees C. At 500 IJs/ml, the nematodes had significantly the lowest nontarget effect on the larvae of both aphid predators, whereas no significant differences in this regard were established between 2,500 and 5,000 IJs/ml. We conclude that the entomopathogenic nematodes under investigation exhibit a pronounced nontarget effect on the larvae of both predators mentioned.

Compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) and the biocide, spinosad for mitigation of the armyworm, Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…EPNs, especially the members of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabdiridae, have been effectively applied as safe biological insecticides in pest control plans (Grewal et al 2005) and can be applied through standard pesticide machinery (Shapiro-Ilan et al 2006). However, the significant non-target effect on the larvae of two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.), and lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) was mentioned by Rojht et al (2009). A wide variety of insect pests has been reported to be susceptible to the nematodes showing no adverse effects on beneficial and non-targeted species (Akhurst and Smith 2002).…”

Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in Slovenia: From Tabula Rasa to Implementation into Crop Production Systems

“…The mortality rate for the green lacewing larvae at the both higher temperature was over 42%. In the most cases H. bacteriophora and mixed suspension of S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora were the least nontargetly efficient agents in our research (Rojht et al, 2009).…”

Environmental safety of entomopathogenic nematodes – Effects on abundance, diversity and community structure of non-target beetles in a forest ecosystem

“…Of the genera recovered in these trials, many are reportedly susceptible to EPN under laboratory and/or field conditions, including: Coccinella (Shapiro- Ilan and Cottrell, 2005), Adalia (Rojht et al, 2009), Altica (Tomalak, 2004), Phyllotreta (Trdan et al, 2008), Otiorhynchus (Lola-Luz and Downes, 2007), Hylastes (Dillon et al, 2008b) and Sitona (Loya and Hower, 2003). It is possible that some individuals from these genera were killed by the applied EPN, but when quantifying risk it is the population, not the individual that is important.…”