Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can provide a substantial control, especially of the root feeding larval pests. The objective of the present study was to examine beneficial traits of an indigenous entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Hb-EG strain), and to identify superior biocontrol candidates for suppression of the scarab beetle Temnorhynchus baal (Reiche & Saulcy) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) larvae as serious pests of strawberry in Egypt. The nematodes were applied to infect the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. cadavers, to represent natural emergence from the host in laboratory and under field conditions. Its average yield was 49604 infective juveniles (IJs) per G. mellonella larva. Overall averages of nematode-induced mortality in G. mellonella larvae were (4.63, 3.12, and 1.92) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively, after continuous weekly baiting with 5 cadavers. Nematode capability for infection and reproduction ranged from 72 to 26% one to five months, respectively, after field inoculation of the infected larvae into the strawberry rhizosphere. The number of IJs, moved to the North of the rhizosphere, was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less than that moved to the South or the East as reflected by the numbers of infected insects. The factors that may have a marked influence on EPN foraging behavior, persistence, and movement direction with implications for harnessing them as biological pest control agents were discussed.

中文翻译：

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昆虫病原性线虫细菌性杂种细菌Hb-EG的特性，可用于草莓田中的潜在生物防治

昆虫病原线虫（EPN）可以提供实质性的控制，尤其是根部喂养的幼虫。本研究的目的是研究一种本地病原性线虫物种有益细菌性线虫细菌性海藻Poinar（Hb-EG株），并确定抑制金龟子甲虫Temnorhynchus baal（Reiche＆Saulcy）（Coleoptera： Scarabaeidae：Dynastinae）幼虫是埃及草莓的严重害虫。线虫被用来感染更大的蜡蛾，Malleria mellonella L.尸体，以代表宿主在实验室和田间条件下自然出现。每只G. mellonella幼虫的平均产量为49604感染性少年（IJs）。线虫引起的线虫病幼虫的总体平均死亡率为（4.63、3.12和1。92）在连续每周用5只尸体诱饵后的第4、8和12周。在将感染的幼虫田间接种到草莓根际中后的一到五个月，线虫的感染和繁殖能力分别为72％至26％。从感染昆虫的数量可以看出，移到根际北部的IJ数量比移到南部或东部的IJ数量要少得多（P≤0.05）。讨论了可能对EPN觅食行为，持久性和运动方向产生显着影响的因素，并暗示了将其用作生物害虫防治剂的含义。田间接种后，将感染的幼虫接种到草莓根际中。从感染昆虫的数量可以看出，移到根际北部的IJ数量比移到南部或东部的IJ数量要少得多（P≤0.05）。讨论了可能对EPN觅食行为，持久性和运动方向产生显着影响的因素，并暗示了将其用作生物害虫防治剂的含义。田间接种后，将感染的幼虫接种到草莓根际中。从感染昆虫的数量可以看出，移到根际北部的IJ数量比移到南部或东部的IJ数量要少得多（P≤0.05）。讨论了可能对EPN觅食行为，持久性和运动方向产生显着影响的因素，并暗示了将其用作生物害虫防治剂的含义。