Publications

infectivity of steinernema carpocapsae and s. feltiae to larvae and adults of the hazelnut weevil, curculio nucum: differential virulence and entry routes.	we investigated the existing susceptibility differences of the hazelnut weevil, curculio nucum l. (coleoptera:, curculionidae) to entomopathogenic nematodes by assessing the main route of entry of the nematodes, steinernema carpocapsae strain b14 and s. feltiae strain d114, into larvae and adult insects, as well as host immune response. our results suggested that s. carpocapsae b14 and s. feltiae d114 primarily entered adult insects and larvae through the anus. larvae were more susceptible to s. ...	2014	25276002
ammonia concentration at emergence and its effects on the recovery of different species of entomopathogenic nematodes.	the life cycle of entomopathogenic nematodes (epn) occurs inside an insect cadaver and an accumulation of ammonia initiates as a consequence of the nematodes defecation. this accumulation reduces the food resources quality and creates a detrimental environment for nematodes. when a given ammonia concentration is reached, the nematodes start their emergence process, searching for a new host. in the present work, this parameter, ammonia triggering point (atp) was measured in 7 steinernema species/ ...	2014	24880156
improving the biocontrol potential of steinernema feltiae against delia radicum through dosage, application technique and timing.	the potential of the entomopathogenic nematode (epn) steinernema feltiae filipjev as a biocontrol agent against the cabbage maggot delia radicum (l.), was assessed in three field tests, focusing on epn dosage, application technique and timing.	2014	23943630
the potential for using entomopathogenic nematodes to control darkwinged fungus gnats bradysia coprophila (lintner) on succulents in glass houses.	darkwinged fungus gnat bradysia coprophila lintner (diptera: sciaridae) is known as a pest of ornamental plants in commercial green and glass houses in nurseries worldwide. there have been reports about significant bradysia coprophila damage of succulent plants in five botanical gardens in ukraine, including academician fomin's botanical garden (kiev) for the last three years. in pot experiments the commercial strain of s.feltiae to control b. coprophila was tested on mammilaria, opuntia, echino ...	2015	27145569
xenorhabdus bovienii strain diversity impacts coevolution and symbiotic maintenance with steinernema spp. nematode hosts.	microbial symbionts provide benefits that contribute to the ecology and fitness of host plants and animals. therefore, the evolutionary success of plants and animals fundamentally depends on long-term maintenance of beneficial associations. most work investigating coevolution and symbiotic maintenance has focused on species-level associations, and studies are lacking that assess the impact of bacterial strain diversity on symbiotic associations within a coevolutionary framework. here, we demonst ...	2015	26045536
effect of temperature and host life stage on efficacy of soil entomopathogens against the swede midge (diptera: cecidomyiidae).	the swede midge, contarinia nasturtii kieffer, is an economically significant pest of cruciferous crops in canada and the northeastern united states. the effect of temperature on the virulence of three entomopathogenic nematode species, heterorhabditis bacteriophora, steinernema carpocapsae, and steinernema feltiae, the entomopathogenic fungus metarhizium brunneum, and a h. bacteriophora+m. brunneum combination treatment to c. nasturtii larvae, pupae, and cocoons was investigated. in the laborat ...	2015	26470158
pathogenicity of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes against the greenhouse whitefly, trialeurodes vaporariorum (hemiptera: aleyrodidae), in laboratory and greenhouse experiments.	the greenhouse whitefly trialeurodes vaporariorum (hemiptera: aleyrodidae) is a polyphagous pest in greenhouse crops. the efficacy of two entomopathogenic nematodes (epn), steinernema feltiae and heterorhabditis bacteriophora, as biological control agents against t. vaporariorum was evaluated using two model crops typical of vegetable greenhouse productions: cucumber and pepper. laboratory tests evaluated adults and second nymphal instars for pest susceptibility to different epn species at diffe ...	2015	25861117
identification of a new alcaligenes faecalis strain mor02 and assessment of its toxicity and pathogenicity to insects.	we report the isolation of a bacterium from galleria mellonella larva and its identification using genome sequencing and phylogenomic analysis. this bacterium was named alcaligenes faecalis strain mor02. microscopic analyses revealed that the bacteria are located in the esophagus and intestine of the nematodes steinernema feltiae, s. carpocapsae, and h. bacteriophora. using g. mellonella larvae as a model, when the larvae were injected with 24,000 cfu in their hemocoel, more than 96% mortality w ...	2015	25667924
biodiversity of entomopathogenic nematodes in italy.	an investigation was carried out on the distribution and biodiversity of steinernematid and heterorhabdtid entomopathogenic nematodes (epn) in nine regions of italy in the period 1990-2010. more than 2000 samples were collected from 580 localities and 133 of them yielded epn specimens. a mapping of epn distribution in italy showed 133 indigenous epn strains belonging to 12 species: 43 isolates of heterorhabditis bacteriophora, 1 of h. downesi, 1 of h. megidis, 51 of steinernema feltiae, 12 of s. ...	2015	24721783
prospects for the use of biological control agents against anoplophora in europe.	this review summarises the literature on the biological control of anoplophora spp. (coleoptera: cerambycidae) and discusses its potential for use in europe. entomopathogenic fungi: beauveria brongniartii petch (hypocreales: cordycipitaceae) has already been developed into a commercial product in japan, and fungal infection results in high mortality rates. parasitic nematodes: steinernema feltiae filipjev (rhabditida: steinernematidae) and steinernema carpocapsae weiser have potential for use as ...	2015	25216358
turning waste into value: nanosized natural plant materials of solanum incanum l. and pterocarpus erinaceus poir with promising antimicrobial activities.	numerous plants are known to exhibit considerable biological activities in the fields of medicine and agriculture, yet access to their active ingredients is often complicated, cumbersome and expensive. as a consequence, many plants harbouring potential drugs or green phyto-protectants go largely unnoticed, especially in poorer countries which, at the same time, are in desperate need of antimicrobial agents. as in the case of plants such as the jericho tomato, solanum incanum, and the common afri ...	2016	27104554
transcriptome analysis of stress tolerance in entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus steinernema.	entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus steinernema are effective biological control agents. the infective stage of these parasites can withstand environmental stresses such as desiccation and heat, but the molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in this tolerance are poorly understood. we used 454 pyrosequencing to analyse transcriptome expression in steinernema spp. that differ in their tolerance to stress. we compared these species, following heat and desiccation treatments, with thei ...	2016	26598027
how to start with a clean crop: biopesticide dips reduce populations of bemisia tabaci (hemiptera: aleyrodidae) on greenhouse poinsettia propagative cuttings.	(1) global movement of propagative plant material is a major pathway for introduction of bemisia tabaci (hemiptera: aleyrodidae) into poinsettia greenhouses. starting a poinsettia crop with high pest numbers disrupts otherwise successful biological control programs and widespread resistance of b. tabaci against pesticides is limiting growers' options to control this pest; (2) this study investigated the use of several biopesticides (mineral oil, insecticidal soap, beauveria bassiana, isaria fumo ...	2016	27681741
biological control potential of entomopathogenic nematodes for management of caribbean fruit fly, anastrepha suspensa loew (tephritidae).	caribbean fruit fly (caribfly) is a serious economic insect pest because of development of larvae that hatch from eggs oviposited into fruits by female adults. this study assessed the virulence of twelve entomopathogenic nematode (epn) isolates to caribfly in laboratory bioassays as a starting point toward evaluation of management strategies for the fruit-to-soil-dwelling stages of a. suspensa in fields infested by caribfly.	2016	27717178
further screening of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes as control agents for drosophila suzukii.	drosophila suzukii populations remain low in the uk. to date, there have been no reports of widespread damage. previous research demonstrated that various species of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes could potentially suppress d. suzukii population development under laboratory trials. however, none of the given species was concluded to be specifically efficient in suppressing d. suzukii. therefore, there is a need to screen further species to determine their efficacy. the following entomopath ...	2016	27294962
entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of the codling moth (cydia pomonella l.) in field and laboratory trials.	three commercially available entomopathogenic nematode (epn) strains (steinernema feltiae and heterorhabditis bacteriophora hb1 and hb2) and two local species (s. jeffreyense and s. yirgalemense) were evaluated for the control of the codling moth (cydia pomonella). in field spray trials, the use of s. jeffreyense resulted in the most effective control (67%), followed by h. bacteriophora (hb1) (42%) and s. yirgalemense (41%). laboratory bioassays using spray application in simulated field conditi ...	2016	26484481
are entomopathogenic nematodes effective biological control agents against the carob moth, ectomyelois ceratoniae?	the carob moth (ectomyelois ceratoniae) is the key pest of pomegranate, which causes a significant percentage of losses in pomegranate orchards and warehouses of iran annually. the pest larvae are characterized by displaying a cryptic behavior within the fruit, which avoids most routine control techniques, especially chemical method. the low efficiency of traditional measurements and also the rich species diversity of natural enemies within the infested fruits highlight the necessity of explorin ...	2016	28154432
laboratory evaluation of isaria fumosorosea ccm 8367 and steinernema feltiae ustinov against immature stages of the colorado potato beetle.	the colorado potato beetle, leptinotarsa decemlineata, has developed resistance to most registered pesticides and has become one of the most difficult insect pests to control. development of new biopesticides targeting this pest might solve the resistance problem and contribute to sustainable crop production. laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of isaria fumosorosea (syn. paecilomyces fumosoroseus) strain ccm 8367 against l. decemlineata when applied alone or combined wi ...	2016	27015633
the effects of nutrient concentration, addition of thickeners, and agitation speed on liquid fermentation of steinernema feltiae.	entomopathogenic nematode production in liquid fermentation still requires improvements to maximize efficiency, yield, and nematode quality. therefore, this study was aimed at developing a more suitable liquid medium for mass production of steinernema feltiae, by assessing the effects of nutrient concentration, thickeners (primarily agar), and agitation speed on infective juvenile (ij) yield. base medium (bm) contained yeast extract (2.3%), egg yolk (1.25%), nacl (0.5%), and corn oil (4%). all m ...	2016	27418706
attraction behaviors of entomopathogenic nematodes (steinernematidae and heterorhabditidae) to synthetic volatiles emitted by insect damaged potato tubers.	entomopathogenic nematodes (epns) play a role in indirect defense of plants under attack by root herbivores. several investigations have shown that epns are attracted or repelled by various volatile compounds (vocs) released from insect damaged plant roots. we hypothesized that the directional responses of epns to the vocs would be affected by foraging strategy and would vary among species, voc type, and voc concentrations. we tested the chemotactic responses of four commercial epn species (stei ...	2016	27108451
efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against larvae of tuta absoluta in the laboratory.	previous studies have indicated the control potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (epns) against tuta absoluta. here, the potential of steinernema feltiae, s. carpocapsae and heterorhabditis bacteriophora is studied when applied against larvae of t. absoluta inside leaf mines in tomato leaf discs by means of an automated spray boom.	2016	26620187
life history trait analysis of the entomopathogenic nematode steinernema feltiae provides the basis for prediction of dauer juvenile yields in monoxenic liquid culture.	entomopathogenic nematodes (steinernema spp.) are used in integrated pest management to control insect pests in cryptic environments. the nematodes are mass produced in monoxenic liquid culture with their symbiotic bacteria xenorhabdus spp. for a better understanding of nematode population dynamics, the life history traits (lhts) of the entomopathogenic nematode steinernema feltiae were assessed at 25 °c by observing single pairs of male and female nematodes using a hanging drop technique. to in ...	2016	26701359
efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes and sprayable polymer gel against crucifer flea beetle (coleoptera: chrysomelidae) on canola.	the crucifer flea beetle, phyllotreta cruciferae (goeze), is a key pest of canola (brassica napus l.) in the northern great plains of north america. the efficacies of entomopathogenic nematodes (steinernema spp. and heterorhabditis spp.), a sprayable polymer gel, and a combination of both were assessed on canola for flea beetle management. plots were treated soon after colonization by adult flea beetles, when canola was in the cotyledon to one-leaf stage. ten plants along a 3.6-m section of row ...	2016	27329629
effect of inoculum age and physical parameters on in vitro culture of the entomopathogenic nematode steinernema feltiae.	entomopathogenic nematodes (epns) of the families steinernematidae and heterorhabditidae have a symbiotic association with bacteria which makes them virulent against insects. epns have been mass produced using in vivo and in vitro methods, including both solid and liquid fermentation. this study assessed the effect of nematode inoculum age on the production of steinernema feltiae in liquid, solid and biphasic processes. several physical parameters were also assessed: the effect of medium viscosi ...	2016	27866481
an improved method for nematode infection assays in drosophila larvae.	the infective juveniles (ijs) of entomopathogenic nematodes (epns) seek out host insects and release their symbiotic bacteria into their body cavity causing septicaemia, which eventually leads to host death. the interaction between epns and their hosts are only partially understood, in particular the host immune responses appears to involve pathways other than phagocytosis and the canonical transcriptional induction pathways. these pathways are genetically tractable and include for example clott ...	2017	22614785
nematicidal and antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts of 17 plants, of importance in ethnopharmacology, obtained from the arabian peninsula.	the development of resistance to synthetic drugs by target organisms is a major challenge facing medicine, yet locked within plants are phytochemicals used in herbal medicine (especially in the arabian peninsula) that may find application in this regard. in pursuit of unlocking these "hidden treasures," the methanol extracts of leaves, aerial parts, fruits, and resins of 17 plants used in the arabian peninsula were screened for antimicrobial activities.	2017	27104031
natural selenium particles from staphylococcus carnosus: hazards or particles with particular promise?	various bacteria, including diverse staphylococci, reduce selenite to yield red selenium particles with diameters in the high nanometer to low micrometer range. formation and accumulation of such particles in bacteria often results in cell death, triggered by a loss of thiols and formation of disruptive deposits inside the cell. hence certain pathogenic bacteria are rather sensitive to the presence of selenite, whilst other organisms, such as small nematodes, do not employ this kind of nanotechn ...	2017	26897703