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...

Daily irrigated, 80% pan replacement, and nonirrigated field plots of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were inoculated with a mixture of Steinernema carpocapsae (All strain) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HP-88 strain) in 1988. In 1989, daily irrigated and nonirrigated plots were inoculated with HP-88 alone. The turf and associated soil contained populations of Tylenchorhynchus dubius,...

The entomogenous nematode Steinernema feltiae was encapsulated in an alginate matrix containing a tomato seed. When these capsules were placed on 0.8% agar for 7 days, the seed germinated and ca. 20% of the nematodes escaped from the capsules, whereas only 0.1% escaped from capsules without seeds. When capsules containing nematodes and a seed were planted into sterilized or nonsterilized soil, ...

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from the Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae families are well-known biocontrol agents against numerous insect pests. The infective juveniles (IJs) are naturally occurring in the soil and their success in locating and penetrating the host will be affected by extrinsic/intrinsic factors that modulate their foraging behavior. Characterizing key traits in the i...