Steinernema scarabaei n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a natural pathogen of scarab beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from New Jersey, USA

Abstract

Steinernema scarabaei n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) is a new entomopathogenicnematode isolated from larvae of the scarab beetles Anomala (= Exomala) orientalis and Popillia japonica from turfgrass in New Jersey, USA. Morphology, hybridisation and molecular studies indicated the distinctness of S. scarabaei n. sp. from other Steinernema spp. Distinctive diagnostic characters include: the presence of a mucronated tail in both rst generation adults; the presence of a ventrally bifurcated mucro in the rst generation female tail; the size and shape of the spicules and gubernaculum and the arrangement of the genital papillae of the male; third-stage infective juvenile with total body length of 890-959 ¹m and lateral eld with eight longitudinal ridges. RFLP analysis of the ITS region of rDNA showed S. scarabaei n. sp. to be distinct from 50 other Steinernema species and isolates. In addition, phylogenetic interpretation of sequence data from the LSU of rDNA provided further evidence for autapomorphies and separate species status for S. scarabaei n. sp.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Steinernema hermaphroditum n. sp. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), an entomopathogenic nematode from Indonesia, and its phylogenetic relationships with other members of the genus

“…karii Waturu, Hunt & Reid, 1997; S. scarabaei, and two unidentified Steinernema species: T29 from Indonesia and, CF VII from California, USA. The new Steinernema species was depicted as a sister taxon of S. scarabaei, a species isolated from scarab beetle larvae in New Jersey, USA (Stock & Koppenhöfer, 2003). Evolutionary relationships between these two taxa was strongly supported by bootstrap resampling (100%).…”

“…: S. scarabaei Stock & Koppenhöfer, 2003;S. longicaudum Shen & Wang, 1992; and an unknown Steinernema sp.…”

Virulence of Native EPN Strains and their Symbionts alone to Polyphagous Lepidopteran Pests vis a vis Model Insect Galleria melonella along with in vivo Production

“…Growth inhibition of H. armigera larvae after P. luminescens treatment On 7 th day after treatment ten larvae from the above experiment were randomly selected from each set of concentration (treatment) and control. The percentage growth inhibition was calculated with the formula: Growth inhibition (%) = (C w -T w )/C w ) × 100, where C w is the average weight of 10 larvae in control and T w is the average weight of 10 larvae in treatment.…”

“…Decrease in widespread EPN after application of exotic strain has been also reported with detrimental effects in long term [6]. Consequently, the isolation of native species of EPNs provides a valuable source for both biodiversity perspective and applicability prospect [7].…”

Isolation of naturally associated bacteria of necromenicPristionchusnematodes and fitness consequences

“…As Pristionchus has a strong relationship with a number of beetle hosts that entomopathogenic nematodes can also infect, e.g. Steinernema scarabaei, which has been isolated from oriental beetles (Stock and Koppenhöfer, 2003), the chances of co-infection with Pristionchus and entomopathogenic nematodes and their associated bacteria are high. Our studies suggest that P. pacificus can recognize and avoid highly pathogenic bacteria such as X. nematophila.…”