Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Novel formulations improve the environmental tolerance of the entomopathogenic nematodes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, S., Li, Y., Towes, M.D., Mbata, G., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2023. Novel formulations improve the tolerance of the entomopathogenic nematodes to ultraviolet radiation. Biological Control. Vol 186:105239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105239.

Discovering and improving microbial biocontrol methods for managing key pecan pests - (Proceedings)

The leafminers of pecan - (Trade Journal)
Cottrell, T.E. 2023. The leafminers of pecan. Pecan South. Vol 56,no. 5:22-26.

Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi, nematodes and spinetoram combinations for integrated management of Thrips tabaci: a two-year onion field study - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wakil, W., Gulzar, S., Prager, S., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2023. Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi, nematodes and spinetoram combinations for integrated management of Thrips tabaci: a two-year onion field study. Pest Management Science. Vol 79:3227-3238. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7503.

Use of entomopathogenic nematodes as a management tactic for weevil pests in pecan - (Trade Journal)
Slusher, E.K., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2023. Use of entomopathogenic nematodes as a management tactic for weevil pests in pecan. Pecan South. Vol 56: 30-37.

A sustainable grower-based method for entomopathogenic nematodes production - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Group joining behaviors in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema glaseri - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stevens, G., Erdogan, H., Pimentel, E., Dotson, J., Stevens, A., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Kaplan, F., Schliekelman, P., Lewis, E. 2023. Group joining behaviors in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema glaseri. International Journal of Parasitology. 181 : 105220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105220.

Direct antagonistic effect of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria on root-knot nematodes migration toward tomato roots - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, J., Li, Y., Wei, X., Cui, Y., Gu, X., Li, X., Yoshiga, T., Abd-Elgawad, M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Ruan, W., Rasmann, S. 2022. Direct antagonistic effect of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria on root-knot nematodes migration toward tomato roots. Plant and Soil. Vol 484:1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05808-4.

Tolerance of Steinernema carpocapsae infective juveniles in novel nanoparticle formulations to ultraviolet radiation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, S., Mechrez, G., Ment, D., Toews, M.T., Ananth, K., Feldbaum, R., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2022. Tolerance of Steinernema carpocapsae infective juveniles in novel nanoparticle formulations to ultraviolet radiation. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 196,107851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2022.107851.

Using the nematode, Steinernema Carpocapsae to control peachtree borer (Synanthedon Exitiosa): Optimization of application rates and secondary benefits in control of root-feeding weevils - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wong, C.R., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hofman, C.O., Blaauw, B., Chavez, D., Jagdale, G., Mizell, R. 2022. Using the nematode, Steinernema Carpocapsae to control peachtree borer (Synanthedon Exitiosa): Optimization of application rates and secondary benefits in control of root-feeding weevils. Agronomy Journal. 12:2689. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112689.

The USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station, Byron Georgia:Some key accomplishments from the past 50 years and a look toward the future - (Trade Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Bock, C.H., Cottrell, T.E., Pisani, C. 2023. The USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station, Byron Georgia:Some key accomplishments from the past 50 years and a look toward the future. Pecan South. Vol 56, No.1; 40-51.

Individual coating of entomopathogenic nematodes with titania (TiO2) nanoparticles based on oil-in-water Pickering emulsion: A new formulation for biopesticides - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kotiarevski, L., Cohen, R., Ramakrishnan, J., Wu, S., Ananth, K., Feldbaum, R., Yaakov, N., Zelinger, E., Belausov, E., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Glazer, I., Ment, D., Mechrez, G. 2022. Individual coating of entomopathogenic nematodes with titania (TiO2) nanoparticles based on oil-in-water Pickering emulsion: A new formulation for biopesticides. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 70 : 13518-13527. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04424.

Toxicity of photorhabdus luminescens and xenorhabdus bovienii bacterial metabolites to pecan alhids (hemiptera: aphididae) and the lady beetle harmonia axyridis (coleoptera: coccinellidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, S., Toews, M., Cottrell, T.E., Schmidt, J., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2022. Toxicity of photorhabdus luminescens and xenorhabdus bovienii bacterial metabolites to pecan alhids (hemiptera: aphididae) and the lady beetle harmonia axyridis (coleoptera: coccinellidae) . Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 194 : 107806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2022.107806.

Microbes, dodonaea viscosa and chlorantraniliprole as components of helicoverpa armigera IPM program: A three region open-field study - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wakil, W., Tahir, M., Ghazanfar, M., Qayyum, M., Yasin, M., Maqsood, S., Asrar, M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2022. Microbes, dodonaea viscosa and chlorantraniliprole as components of helicoverpa armigera IPM program: A three region open-field study. Agronomy Journal. 12 : 1928. https://doi.org/agronomy12081928.

Formulation of an IPM package for the management of pangaeus bilineatus (say) (heteroptera: cynidae)from combinations of entomopathogens and insecticides - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mbata, George, Li, Y., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2022. Formulation of an IPM package for the management of pangaeus bilineatus (say) (heteroptera: cynidae)from combinations of entomopathogens and insecticides. Journal of Pest Science. 78 : 4719-4727. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7092.

Nematodes as Model Organisms - (Book / Chapter)
Glazer, I., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Sternberg, P. 2022. Nematodes as Model Organisms. CAB International United Kingdom. 374 pages. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781789248814.0000.

Using Beneficial Fungi for Control of Nut Crop Pests - (Trade Journal)

Basic laboratory and field manual for conducting research with the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, and their bacterial symbionts - (Review Article)
Hazir, S., Kaya, H., Touray, M., Cimen, H., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2022. Basic laboratory and field manual for conducting research with the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, and their bacterial symbionts. Turkish Journal of Zoology. Vol. 46(4) Article 1. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0179.3085.

Steinernema populi n. sp. (panagrolaimomorpha, steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode species from China - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tian, C., Zhu, F., Li, X., Zhang, J., Puza, V., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Zhao, D., Liu, J., Zhou, J., Ding, Y., Wang, J., Ma, J., Zhu, X., Li, M. 2022. Steinernema populi n. sp. (panagrolaimomorpha, steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode species from China. Journal of Helminthology. 96 : e57. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X22000426.

Genetic improvement of beneficial organisms. In: Nematodes as Model Organisms - (Book / Chapter)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hazir, S., Glazer, I. 2022. Genetic improvement of beneficial organisms. In: Nematodes as Model Organisms. Nematodes as Model Organisms. pp 346-364.

SUPERIOR FITNESS IN ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES APPLIED IN INFECTED HOSTS - (Abstract Only)

Considerations for Applying Beneficial Nematodes for Insect Pest Control - (Trade Journal)

Combined application of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi against fruit flies, Bactrocera zonata and B. dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae):laboratory cups to field study - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wakil, W., Muhammad, U., Pinero, J., Wu, S., Toews, M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2022. Combined application of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi against fruit flies, Bactrocera zonata and B. dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae):laboratory cups to field study. Pest Management Science. Vol 78, 2779-2791. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ps.6899.

Control of Pecan Weevil using reduced rates of Grandevo®, a Microbial Biopesticide - (Trade Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Wells, L. 2022. Control of Pecan Weevil using reduced rates of Grandevo®, a Microbial Biopesticide. Pecan South. 55(2), 38-45.

Black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) management on pecan when gibberellic acid is applied concurrently with broad-spectrum insecticides - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cottrell, T.E. 2022. Black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) management on pecan when gibberellic acid is applied concurrently with broad-spectrum insecticides. Journal of Economic Entomology. 115(2):611-617. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toac009.

Infected host responses across entomopathogenic nematode phylogeny - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Erdogan, H., Stevens, G., Stevens, A., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Kaplan, F., Alborn, H.T., Lewis, E.E. 2022. Infected host responses across entomopathogenic nematode phylogeny. Journal of Nematology. 53,e2021-105. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-105.

Laboratory virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes to the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, Y., Mbata, G., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Laboratory virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes to the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Journal of Nematology. 53. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-096.

Nematodes follow a leader - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Erdogan, H., Cruzado-Gutierrez, K., Stevens, G., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Kaplan, F., Alborn, H.T., Lewis, E.E. 2021. Nematodes follow a leader. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 9,740351. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.740351.

Control of Curculio caryae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) with reduced rates of a microbial biopesticide - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Wells, L. 2022. Control of Curculio caryae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) with reduced rates of a microbial biopesticide. Journal of Entomological Science. vol 57: 310-313. https://doi.org/10.18474/JES21-65.

Retrospective Highlights: 50 Years of Pecan Research at USDA-ARS, Byron GA - (Trade Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Cottrell, T.E., Bock, C.H., Pisani, C. 2021. Retrospective Highlights: 50 Years of Pecan Research at USDA-ARS, Byron GA. Pecan Grower. 33(5)/9-24.

Evaluation of locally isolated entomopathogenic fungi against multiple life stages of Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae): Laboratory and Field Study - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Muhammad, U., Wakil, W., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Evaluation of locally isolated entomopathogenic fungi against multiple life stages of Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae): Laboratory and Field Study. Microorganisms. 9/1891. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9081791.

Differences in distribution and community structure of plant-parasitic nematodes in pecan orchards between two ecoregions of Georgia - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jagdale, G., Brenneman, T.B., Severns, P.M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Differences in distribution and community structure of plant-parasitic nematodes in pecan orchards between two ecoregions of Georgia. Journal of Nematology. vol 53:e2021-75. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-075.

Organic Approaches Pecan Management: Control of Plant Diseases - (Trade Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Bock, C.H. 2021. Organic Approaches Pecan Management: Control of Plant Diseases. Pecan South. 54(6)/24-33.

Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agent against Bactrocera zontat and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tehpritidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Usman, M., Wakil, W., Sufyan, M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agent against Bactrocera zontat and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tehpritidae). Biological Control. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104706.

Entomopathogenic nematode management of small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) in three native Alabama soils under low moisture conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sanchez, W., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Williams, G., Lawrence, K. 2021. Entomopathogenic nematode management of small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) in three native Alabama soils under low moisture conditions. Journal of Nematology. vol 53, e2021-63. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-063.

Antifungal activity of different Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus species against various fungal phytopathogens and identification of the antifungal compounds from X. szentirmaii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cimen, H., Touray, M., Sebnem, G., Erincik, O., Wenski, S., Bode, H., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hazir, S. 2021. Antifungal activity of different Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus species against various fungal phytopathogens and identification of the antifungal compounds from X. szentirmaii. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. vol 105: 5517-5528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11435-3.

Quantification of pH Tolerance Levels among Entomopathogenic Nematodes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Khathwayo, Z., Ramakuwela, T., Hatting, J., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Cochrane, N. 2021. Quantification of pH Tolerance Levels among Entomopathogenic Nematodes. Journal of Nematology. 53/e2021-62. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-062.

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes of Pupae of Frankliniella Fusca (Thysanoptera; Thripidae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gulzar, S., Usman, M., Wakil, W., Wu, S., Hofman, C.O., Srinivasan, R., Toews, M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes of Pupae of Frankliniella Fusca (Thysanoptera; Thripidae. Journal of Economic Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab132.

Potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes against the soil dwelling stages of onion thrips Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gulzar, S., Wakil, W., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes against the soil dwelling stages of onion thrips Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. Biological Control. 161/104677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104677.

An assessment of steinernema rarum as a biocontrol agent in sugarcane with focus on sphenophorus levels, host-finding ability, compatibility with vinasse and field efficacy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Silva, M.S., Cardoso, J.M., Ferreira, M.E., Baldo, F.B., Silva, R.S., Chacon-Orozco, J.G., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hazir, S., Bueno, C.J., Garrigos-Leite, L. 2021. An assessment of steinernema rarum as a biocontrol agent in sugarcane with focus on sphenophorus levels, host-finding ability, compatibility with vinasse and field efficacy. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 11/500. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11060500.

Combined effect of entomopathogens against thrips tabaci lindeman (thysanoptera: thripidae) under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gulzar, S., Wakil, W., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Combined effect of entomopathogens against thrips tabaci lindeman (thysanoptera: thripidae) under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. Insects. 12/456. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12050456.

The effect of chemical insecticides on the scavenging performance of Steinernema carpocapsae: Direct effects and exposure to insects killed by chemical insecticides - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nalinci, E., Karagoz, M., Ulug, D., Gulsen, S., Cimen, H., Touray, M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hazir, S. 2021. The effect of chemical insecticides on the scavenging performance of Steinernema carpocapsae: Direct effects and exposure to insects killed by chemical insecticides. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 184/107641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2021.107641.

Entomopathogenic nematodes as models for inundative biological control. In: Nematodes as Model Organisms - (Book / Chapter)
Glazer, I., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hazir, S. 2022. Entomopathogenic nematodes as models for inundative biological control. In: Nematodes as Model Organisms. Nematodes as Model Organisms. pp 293-308.

Organic Approaches to Pecan Pest Management: Aphids and Lepidopterans (caterpillars & moths) - (Trade Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Organic Approaches to Pecan Pest Management: Aphids and Lepidopterans (caterpillars & moths). Pecan South. 54(30)/22-29.

Organic Approaches to Pecan Pest Management: Pecan Weevil - (Trade Journal)
Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Organic Approaches to Pecan Pest Management: Pecan Weevil. Pecan South. 53 (12)/30-35.

The impact of chemical nematicides on entomopathogenic nematode survival and infectivity - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Touray, M., Cimen, H., Sebnem, G., Ulug, D., Erdogus, D., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hazir, S. 2021. The impact of chemical nematicides on entomopathogenic nematode survival and infectivity. Journal of Nematology. 53/49. https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2021-049.