Abstract
A survey for naturally occurring entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) was conducted in various agricultural fields in central Turkey, Nevsehir, between 2015 and 2016 years. EPNs were recovered from 20 of 112 soil samples (17.9%). Seventeen isolates were identified as Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). One was unknown Steinernema sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), and two were Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). The most common species was S. feltiae, which was recovered from 5 out of 8 sites. The pathogenicity of these isolates was evaluated on the last larval instar of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at different concentrations (25, 50, 100 IJs) in the laboratory at 25 ± 1 °C. Maximum mortality rate (87%) was achieved from the H. bacteriophora AVB-15 isolate at the lowest concentration after 48 h post-inoculation, while the only isolate that caused maximum mortality of (100%) at the concentration of 50 IJs/ml, 24 h post-inoculation was S. feltiae DDKB-17 isolate. All isolates showed high pathogenicity on G. mellonella last instar ranging from 63 to 100% at the concentration of 100 IJs/ml, 48 h post-inoculation. The present survey revealed that these EPNs are commonly present at Nevsehir, and they might have a good potential in biological control of insect pests.
Highlights
Long-standing improper use of pesticides has led to an increased risk of contamination of the environment and harmful effects on food security
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae possess many features that distinguish them from other EPNs and enable them to provide a more successful control against insect pests that live in both soil and cryptic habitats (Hazir et al 2004; Kaya et al 2006 and Lacey and Georgis 2012)
The most common species was Steinernema feltiae, which was recovered from 17 soil samples (85%), followed by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Table 1 Habitat types and percentage of sites in which entomopathogenic nematode isolates were recovered at Nevsehir in 2015 and 2016
Summary
Long-standing improper use of pesticides has led to an increased risk of contamination of the environment and harmful effects on food security. Concerns about the destructive effects of chemical pesticides have prompted a growing number of researchers across the world to find more sustainable and environmentally friendly novel control methods that offer the production of safer foods to consumers in the management of pests (Canhilal et al 2016). There is a great scientific interest in both obtaining EPNs and determining their efficacy against the most damaging species (Canhilal et al 2016 and Kepenekci et al 2018). The occurrence and distribution of EPN have been studied in some parts of Turkey, but no study has been conducted at Nevsehir (Kepenekci and Susurluk 2000; Canhilal et al 2016 and Canhilal et al 2017)
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