Abstract
BackgroundEntomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are evidently a useful nematode group for the biocontrol of insect pests. It is well known that efficacy of different EPN strains, even belonging to the same species, can be significantly varied in different localities. Therefore, exploring EPNs and testing their efficacy in various ecological regions is of crucial importance to find out more efficient EPN strains. On the other hand, this practice is also needed to enhance the knowledge on diversity and distribution model of EPNs over the world.ResultsIn this study, a species belonging to the genus Steinernema, S. surkhetense, has been characterized for the first time in Vietnam based on morphological and molecular characterizations. Morphological characterizations of infective juveniles, the first and second-generation adults, and molecular characterization of D2-D3 expansion segment of 28S rRNA region were given. Molecular phylogeny of the genus Steinernema was also provided. In addition, the study showed that the lethal efficacy of this local strain to larvae of Galleria mellonella L. was relatively higher than other reported EPN strains in Vietnam.ConclusionsThe Vietnamese EPN population found in this study was determined to be conspecific with S. surkhetense, revealed its new distribution in Vietnam. Besides, detailed morphological and molecular characterizations of it was provided with small variations compared to other populations in the world, and its relatively high lethal efficacy on larvae of G. mellonella implied that this strain can be potentially a useful strain for biological control of insect pests.
Highlights
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a useful nematode group for the biocontrol of insect pests
In Vietnam, 13 EPN species belonging to the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis have been found (Phan et al 2014)
The present study provides the first morphological and molecular characterizations of the EPN S. surkhetense from Vietnam, and molecular phylogeny of the genus Steinernema
Summary
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a useful nematode group for the biocontrol of insect pests. It is well known that efficacy of different EPN strains, even belonging to the same species, can be significantly varied in different localities. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are obligate parasites and have significant potential in the biological control of insects. They are capable of parasitizing and causing death to hundreds of insect pests without having any clear adverse effect on humans and other vertebrate. Steinernema surkhetense Khatri-Chhetri, Waeyenberge, Spiridonov, Manadhar and Moens 2011 belongs to carpocapsae-group (presence of short juveniles). This species has been reported from several regions of Nepal, India, and China (Bhat et al 2020). The pathogenic potential of this strain to the larvae of great wax moth, G. mellonella, was tested
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