Entomopathogenic Nematodes Lab
Entomopathogenic Nematodes Lab
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Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are round-worms associated with a bacteria able to parasite and kill a large number of insects. They are commercialized for biological control of insect pests in many countries around the world. In Azores we started using EPN against the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) in the eighties. More recently we performed assays against the armyworm, (Pseudaletia unipuncta) and Mediterranean climbing cutworm (Spodoptera littoralis). The use of EPN against other pests is now being essayed. Recently, we have isolated a large number of EPN in Azores coming from different places and soils. Isolates of the same species showed high variability concerning different beneficial traits. The most important genera of EPN are Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. Each one is associated with a specific bacterium, Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, respectively. These pathogens are easily produced in laboratory under suitable conditions. In the field we apply the infective stage (IJ) of the nematode that carried in the gut the associated bacteria. IJ is able to persist in soil and to check for a suitable host. Once inside the host, the IJ release the bacteria and start the development. Both organisms participate on insect disease through toxic products they release. The susceptibility of insects is high variable from one to another and clearly it depends on the molecules released. 
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Popillia japonica
Pseudaletia unipuncta
Spodoptera littoralis
Steinernema
Photorahbdus
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Universidade dos
Açores
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