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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423452
Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Comparative assessment of a Chinese indigenous entomopathogenic nematode versus a commercial strain for the biological control of Spodoptera frugiperda

Author
item ZENG, SHUOCHENG - Sichuan Academy Of Agricultural Science
item HAITING, HAITING - Sichuan Academy Of Agricultural Science
item YI, JUN - Sichuan Academy Of Agricultural Science
item JI, ZHENGYU - Sichuan Academy Of Agricultural Science
item CHEN, CHENG - Sichuan Academy Of Agricultural Science
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item LI, XINGYUE - Sichuan Academy Of Agricultural Science

Submitted to: BioControl
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2025
Publication Date: 7/10/2025
Citation: Zeng, S., Haiting, H., Yi, J., Ji, Z., Chen, C., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Li, X. 2025. Comparative assessment of a Chinese indigenous entomopathogenic nematode versus a commercial strain for the biological control of Spodoptera frugiperda. BioControl. 208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105844.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105844

Interpretive Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes, also known as beneficial nematodes, are small round worms that kill insects pests as natural bioinsecticides. These nematodes are commercially available and used to control a wide variety of economically important pests. However, the use of beneficial nematodes can be restricted due to environmental stress such as high temperatures. Generally, beneficial nematodes are best applied in temperature ranges of 20 C to 30 C. Thus, it is important to find or develop beneficial nematodes that can withstand a broader stress range. In this study, a new nematode strain was discovered (Heterorhabditis indica (named CQ7-2) that can survive at high temperatures such as above 35 C. The efficacy of the nematode was demonstrated against a major global pest, fall armyworm. Our results indicate the new nematode strain may be able to control key pests, such as fall armyworm, and others even when ambient temperatures are high.

Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have gained recognition for their effectiveness as environmentally friendly biological control agents, and have seen widespread commercialization worldwide. Research into EPN strains with resistance and high virulence is important due to the challenges posed by complex environmental conditions and the expanding range of pests from invasive species. We recently identified a strain of Heterorhabditis indica (named CQ7-2) in Chongqing, a region with prevalent extremely high temperatures, and assessed its ability to withstand heat. The strain showed remarkable heat resistance and high toxicity in bioassays against Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and prompted further investigation into its virulence on the invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). This strain of EPN can maintain a survival rate of over 88% for over 40 hours at 36' and more than 75% at 38' up to 8 hours. The results of bioassays demonstrated that the median lethal concentration (LC50) value of this particular EPN strain against G. mellonella larvae was determined to be 2.92 IJs/larva, while it exhibited LC50 values of 5.79 IJs/larva and 6.65 IJs/larva against third and sixth instar larvae of S. frugiperda respectively. Overall, the newly isolated EPN H. indica (CQ7-2) showed excellent control efficacy against S. frugiperda, and when combined with its exceptional heat resistance, it has the potential to be an effective tool for integrated pest management.