ENTOMPATHOGENIC NEMATODES

Contents

Identification

Fact Sheet (requires Acrobat Reader 3.x or above to read and print. Click below to download the free "Reader".)

Registered Insecticides

References

[Insect Management]

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Parasitic Nematode on Mint Flea Beetle	Parasitic Nematode on Mint Root Borer
	Infection of insect hosts by parasitic nematodes is initiated by the free-living third-stage infective juveniles (IJs). Nematodes enter the host through natural openings, such as the mouth, anus, and spiracles. Once inside their host, IJs release their symbiotic bacteria, which kills the insect within 48 hrs. The bacteria, which multiply in the insect host, are consumed and digested by the developing nematodes. Nematodes complete development to the adult stage inside the insect host. Females lay eggs in the dead insect that hatch and develop into the IJs that escape into the soil from their dead insect host. Parasitic nematodes have several important attributes that make them excellent candidates for biological control of soil insects. Numerous insect pests on many different crops are controlled by parasitic nematodes, including root weevils, mint flea beetle, mint root borer and other species of borers, white grubs, and caterpillars. (see Takeyasu 1994)
Parasitic Nematode on Strawberry Root Weevil	View the Fact Sheet for More Information

This section contains information on the use of parasitic nematodes.  The Fact Sheet contains specific information on the biology of some of the most common species of nematode parasites (requires Acrobat Reader).