The geospatial patterns of four species of native entomopathogenic nematodes in Florida were previously shown to be related to soil properties that affect soil water potential. Here we compared the responses to water potential of third stage, infective juvenile (IJ), Steinernema sp. (Sx), and Steinernema diaprepesi (Sd) in controlled conditions. The two species were selected because they are cl...

Entomopathogenic nematodes (genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) can control a wide variety of economically important pests (Shapiro-Ilan et al., 2002), and are generally applied in aqueous suspension through a variety of agricultural spray equipment or irrigation systems (Grewal, 2002). These nematodes have also been shown to be effective when applied in their infected-host cadavers (Creigh...

The free-living stage of entomopathogenic nematodes occurs in soil, and is an environmental-friendly alternative for biological control. However, their dispersal capability is limited. Earthworms improve soil characteristics, changing soil structure and influencing many edaphic organisms. Thus, earthworms could be used as vectors to introduce/disperse beneficial organisms. Nevertheless this int...

A stilbene fluorescent brightener, Tinopal LPW, was used as an ultraviolet (UV) protectant for the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (All strain). Irradiation of an aqueous suspension of nematodes produced a LC in 15.7 minutes under a sunlamp and in 31.7 minutes in direct sunlight. Irradiation by both sunlamp and sunlight of a suspension of nematodes in Tinopal LPW did not reduc...

Entomopathogenic nematodes were screened for eYcacy against the cottonwood borer, Plectrodera scalator (Fabricius). Steinernema feltiae SN and S. carpocapsae All killed 58 and 50% of larvae, respectively, in Wlter paper bioassays but less than 10% in diet cup bioassays. S. glaseri NJ, S. riobrave TX, and H. indica MG-13 killed less than 10% of larvae in both assays. H. marelata IN was ineVectiv...

A filter paper bioassay was developed for testing the efficacy of nematodes and other agents for control of Diaprepes abbreviatus larvae. Surfactants, with and without Steinernema riobravis, were screened first in the filter paper bioassay and then in a potted citrus seedling study. The results of the two assays were in agreement on the relative merits of the compounds tested. Surfactants incre...