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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #363517
Research Project: Cranberry Genetics and Insect Management

Location: Vegetable Crops Research

Title: Two native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent bio control agents in cranberries

Author
item FOYE, SHANE - University Of Wisconsin
item Steffan, Shawn

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2019
Publication Date: 11/1/2019
Citation: Foye, S., Steffan, S.A. 2019. Two native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent bio control agents in cranberries. Biological Control. 138:104042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104042.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104042

Interpretive Summary: Two recently discovered native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent bio-control agents for cranberries and other agricultural crops. Having effective biological controls (bio-insecticides) represent critical alternatives to pesticide use. In particular, the nematodes reported here are highly virulent against the top three pests of Wisconsin cranberries, and are as effective as the best insecticides. US cranberry growers, and potentially any farmer with soil-borne insect pests will benefit because the two-species nematode formulation can be applied instead of standard insecticides during the cranberry bloom, when bees are out pollinating the crop.

Technical Abstract: Surveys of entomopathogenic nematodes were conducted in the wild cranberry habitats of Wisconsin. The purpose of the survey was to find a biological control agent for control of insect pests of cranberries. Two nematodes, Oscheius onirici Torini (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) and Heterorhabditis georgiana Nguyen (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae), were collected in this survey. Laboratory trials show that applications of either O. onirici or H. georgiana resulted in 80% and 67% mortality rates, respectively, when applied to sparganothis fruitworm, Sparganothis sulfureana Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), larvae. In replicated field and greenhouse trials, both nematode species were also shown to significantly suppress the redheaded flea beetle, Systena frontalis Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Collectively, these findings suggest that these nematodes may be promising bio-insecticides for US cranberries.