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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345139
Title: Incidence of Oscheius onirici (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a potentially entomopathogenic nematode from the marshlands of Wisconsin, USA

Author
item YE, WEIMIN - North Carolina State University
item FOYE, SHANE - University Of Wisconsin
item MACGUIDWIN, ANN - University Of Wisconsin
item Steffan, Shawn

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2018
Publication Date: 5/31/2018
Citation: Ye, W., Foye, S., MacGuidwin, A.E., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Incidence of Oscheius onirici (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a potentially entomopathogenic nematode from the marshlands of Wisconsin, USA. Journal of Nematology. 50(1):9-26. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2018-004.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2018-004

Interpretive Summary: A broadly virulent nematode has been found in Wisconsin cranberry marshlands. Morphological and molecular analyses suggest that it is Oscheius onirici, a recently described nematode known to occur in both Europe and North America. Our results are important because this nematode represents an entomopathogen of two key cranberry pests, the sparganothis fruitworm and the cranberry fruitworm. Thus, this nematode could be developed into a highly virulent bio-insecticide for use within the cranberry industry, as well as other agricultural industries.

Technical Abstract: An Oscheius (Rhabditidae) was recovered through the Galleria bait method from a wild cranberry marsh in Jackson County, Wisconsin, USA. Morphological studies with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, as well as molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rDNA gene (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene (LSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genes revealed this as Oscheius onirici. The species is characterized by its unique DNA sequences; hermaphroditic reproduction; male absent. Oscheius onirici belongs to the dolichura-group. A Bacillus-like bacteria appears to be associated with this nematode based on our microscopic and SEM observations. This nematode is capable of infecting the sparganothis fruitworm Sparganothis sulfureana Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and the mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella F. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the brown-banded cockroach Supella longipalpa F. (Blattodea: Ectobiidae).