Sex-related differences in the susceptibility of Periplaneta americana and Capnodis tenebrionis to the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes have a broad range of insect hosts, but efficacy varies depending on many factors including insect species and life stage of the host. In this study we examined the susceptibility of males and females of two insect species, the American cockroach Periplaneta americana and the flatheaded rootborer Capnodis tenebrionis to Steinernema carpocapsae by exposing adults to different concentrations. A separate study examined the routes of entry used by nematodes into males and females. Males of both species were more susceptible than females, with greater than 97% infection when a concentration of 50IJs/cm2 was applied, whereas mortalities lower than 58% were achieved against females 14days post-infection. Infective juveniles were detected in similar number on the surface of both sexes, but when compared among internal regions the number of nematodes was significantly higher in gonads and ducts of males than of females for P. americana (5.49 in males; 0.02 in females) and C. tenebrionis (6.88 in males; 0.00 in females).