Open AccessEntomopathogenic nematode-gastropod interactions
Author(s) -
Jacob Schurkman,
Adler R. Dillman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.558
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 2640-396X
pISSN - 0022-300X
DOI - 10.21307/jofnem-2021-061
Subject(s) - biology , biological pest control , nematode , entomopathogenic nematode , insect , host (biology) , agriculture , agricultural pest , ecology , heterorhabditis , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , agricultural science
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) infect and kill insects and have been successfully used in the biological control of some insect pests. Slugs and snails are known to be significant pests of agriculture and serve as vectors for disease-causing microbes that can affect crops and humans. The potential of EPNs to be used in the biological control of gastropods has not been well-studied. The few studies that have been performed on the efficacy of EPNs in controlling gastropod pests and vectors were reviewed. Suggested criteria for further assessments of EPN-gastropod interactions are: Dose of EPNs used, length of infection assays, host biology, nematode biology and development, and Koch’s postulates. There are provocative data suggesting that EPNs may be useful biological control agents against gastropod pests of agriculture and vectors of disease, though additional studies using the suggested criteria are needed, including the publication of negative data or studies where EPNs were not efficacious or successful in controlling gastropods.