Searching for Better Methodologies for Successful Control of Termites Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Abstract

Termites are social insects reported from many countries of the world. Some species of them are known to be beneficial to man, whereas some others cause substantial losses (billions of US dollars annually) of properties and amenities. Various preventive and remedial methods are used to control undesirable termite species. The current review paper gives an overview of beneficial and detrimental activities of termites. Methods of control of undesirable species of termites are given and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. We emphasized on the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as effective, environmentally safe and sustainable biological control method against termites. Species of EPNs recovered in Africa are documented. Some techniques used to collect termites and to maintain them for experiments and also to propagate, to formulate, to store, and to check for the quality of EPNs for application in the laboratory and in the field are also discussed. The environmental factors affecting the potential of EPNs to control termites are discussed. The information provided in this chapter will help researchers to enhance their skills of the use of EPNs against termites by selecting from the methodologies described here the best ones to adapt to particular experimental conditions, especially in African soil conditions.

Climate Change Modulates Multitrophic Interactions Between Maize, A Root Herbivore, and Its Enemies

“…Yet, as root damage was similar between the different conditions, it is likely that the mass differences are due to either direct physiological changes in the insect food processing mechanisms or to indirect changes through un-measured metabolic differences in the plants. Change of tissue quality, including nutrient availability and secondary metabolites, interferes with herbivore performance (DeLucia et al 2012;Erb and Lu 2013;Lin et al 2021) and feeding activity (Bale et al 2002;Levesque et al 2002;Golizadeh et al 2007). Despite the direct link between benzoxazinoid concentrations and generalist herbivore survival (Wouters et al 2016), the observed, albeit non-significant, decrease in benzoxazinoid concentrations under the RCP 8.5 scenario did not result in enhanced survival of the herbivore.…”

“…Altogether, these observations point towards some overlooked impact of EPNs on plant physiology and associated feedbacks onto plant-herbivore interactions (Zhang et al 2021;Jagdale et al 2009;An et al 2016;Helms et al 2019). The negative direct and indirect effects of climate change on EPN success underlines the urge to adapt biological control strategies, for instance through the use of EPNs from warmer, dryer, regions, or through the selection of EPNs tolerant to predicted climatic conditions, to prevent pest outbreaks in the future (Baïmey et al 2017;Glazer 2002;Stock et al 2008).…”

“…Interestingly, while soil shelters major crop pest insects (Hunter 2001), the impact of climate change on belowground food webs remains poorly understood (Staley and Johnson 2008;McKenzie et al 2013;Hiltpold et al 2016). Bale et al suggested that the direct effects of increasing temperatures may be buffered in soil due to the dense environment (Bale et al 2002). However, plant-mediated effects of temperatures may arise.…”

Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (NEP) Results of In Vitro Propagation Using Egg Yolk Media Against Mustard Caterpillar Plutella xylostella

“…Perbanyakan NEP secara in vivo sangat sederhana dan menghasilkan nematoda berkualitas tinggi namun membutuhkan tenaga dan biaya yang cukup tinggi. Sedangkan perbanyakan secara in vitro hanya membutuhkan biaya produksi yang lebih rendah, dengan menyediakan media buatan yang kaya nutrisi dan oksigen yang cukup (Baïmey et al, 2017). Salah satu perbanyakan in vivo adalah dengan mengguakan ulat Galeria melonella (L) (Indriyanti dkk, 2015).…”

Insect Defense System and Immunosuppression Strategies of Entomopathogenic Nematodes - An Overview

“…Low CO2 output or CO2 released in bursts that minimize chemical cues (lepidopterous pupae and scarab grubs (Potter and Held , 2002 ). • Walling-off nematode killed individuals that avoid or reduce contamination toother insects in a termites mound ; When nematodes are applied to termite colonies, the workers are able to recognize infected individuals and isolate them behind earthen barriers (Baimey et al,2017).…”