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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Chemistry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318189
Title: Social networks of educated nematodes

Author
item WILLETT, DENIS - University Of Florida
item Alborn, Hans
item DUNCAN, LARRY - University Of Florida
item STELINSKI, LUKASZ - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are obligate lethal parasitoids of insect larvae that can be utilized for biological control of below ground insect pests, such as root feeding Diabrotica and Diaprepes larva and thus be part of a viable IPM alternative to methyl bromide soil fumigation. However, we still lack fundamental knowledge and understanding of how EPN navigate the chemically complex belowground environment while interacting with their insect hosts, plants, and each other. A scientist at the chemistry group, USDA ARS CMAVE, Gainesville FL in collaboration with scientists at University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL discovered that exposure to volatile compounds appear to prime nematodes in a compound specific manner, increasing preference for volatiles they previously were exposed to and decreasing attraction to other volatiles. In addition, persistence of volatile exposure influences this response. Thus, it might be possible to utilize volatile signals released by roots in response to insect damage, as previously discovered by scientists in this group, to prime commercially produced EPN for an improved targeted control of root pests. It was also discovered that entomopathogenic nematodes display interspecific social behavioral plasticity where experienced nematodes influence the behavior of different species, thus primed nematodes might also positively affect the behavior of native EPNs.

Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes are obligate lethal parasitoids of insect larvae that navigate a chemically complex belowground environment while interacting with their insect hosts, plants, and each other. In this environment, prior exposure to volatile compounds appears to prime nematodes in a compound specific manner, increasing preference for volatiles they previously were exposed to and decreasing attraction to other volatiles. In addition, persistence of volatile exposure influences this response. Longer exposure not only increases preference, but also results in longer retention of that preference. These entomopathogenic nematodes display interspecific social behavioral plasticity; experienced nematodes influence the behavior of different species. This interspecific social behavioral plasticity suggests a mechanism for rapid adaptation of belowground communities to dynamic environments.