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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #411613
Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Other Orchard Systems

Author
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item ARTHURS, STEVEN - Biobee Usa

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Temperate orchards have several environmental features that make them conducive to biocontrol applications involving entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). Favorable abiotic conditions are provided by adequate soil moisture and canopy shading (protection from harmful UV) while the perennial crop provides stability. This chapter reviews and analyzes the use of EPNs (Heterorhabditis spp. and Steinernema spp.) in temperate orchards, including pome fruit, stone fruit and nut crops. Emphasis is placed on pest complexes that have received most attention as targets for EPNs in North America. Examples of pests that have been successfully controlled with entomopathogenic nematodes include codling moth (Cydia pomonella), pecan weevil (Curculio caryae), peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa), lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes), and plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar). In some cases, improvements in efficacy have resulted from careful selection of nematode strains or species as well as recent advances in formulation (such as the use of nanoparticles or gel substrates) or application techniques (such as the use of pheromones to enhance nematode activity). While commercially produced EPNs are applied to an increasing number of insect pests in temperate orchard systems; based on current trends outlined in this chapter, there is great potential for expansion.