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Title: AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGY FOR IN VIVO MASS PRODUCTION OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES

Author
item GAUGLER, RANDY - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
item BROWN, IAN - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item ATWA, ATWA - UNIVERSITY OF CAIRO

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/31/2001
Publication Date: 6/2/2002
Citation: Gaugler, R., Brown, I., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Atwa, A. 2002. Automated technology for in vivo mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes. Bological Control. v.24. p.199-206.

Interpretive Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes are tiny round worms that kill many important insect pests, but do not harm humans, other animals, or the environment. In some cases these nematodes are not being used because they are too expensive. This paper describes a new method of producing entomopathogenic nematodes in live insects that is less labor intensive and more cost efficient.

Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes are potent biopesticides that can control a wide variety of economically important insect pests. Employment of entomopathogenic nematodes on a wider scale is hindered by cost of production. In vivo production provides quality nematodes but is labor intensive and offers little economy of scale. In vitro production requires vast capital for startup and may produce low quality nematodes. The LOTEX method described in this manuscript is the first scalable in vivo process reported for entomopathogenic nematode production. The method increases efficiency due to automated harvest and a concentrated incubation step, resulting in reduced labor and increased efficiency.