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Occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in British soils

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

W. M. Homininck  and
B. R. Briscoe
W. M. Homininck
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 7PY
B. R. Briscoe
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 7PY
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Summary

Soil from 403 hedgerow, roadside verge, woodland, heathland or field sites was assessed for presence of entomopathogenic rhabditid nematodes with aGalleria larva baiting technique. Steinernematids were recovered from 48 % of the sites but only one site yielded Heterorhabditis sp. The species recovered most frequently was Steinernema bibionis (Bovien). Another unidentified Steinernema sp. was also isolated. Prevalence of steinernematids in the different types of habitat formed continuum so that roadside verges harboured them most often while heathland sites yielded them least often. Mean soil temperatures at 5 cm were about 15 °C in fields and verges, 13 °C in hedgerows and heathland and 12 °C in woodland. Prevalence of the nematodes varied in different parts of Britain and was influenced by soil type. They were associated with calcareous soils, especially those with a calcareous subsoil horizon. Soils which are periodically or seasonally water-logged were suitable. Soils enriched by humus and hence high in organic matter frequently harboured the nematodes and some suitable soils had significant clay contents or subsoils high in clay. It appears that the two steinernematids are relatively unspecialized species, occurring in diverse habitats and soil types and are adapted to cooler temperatures.

Keywords

Steinernema bibionis (Bovien)SteinernematidaeHeterirhabditidaesoil surveyentomopathogenic nematodessoil typehabitat
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 100 , Issue 2 , April 1990 , pp. 295 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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