Biocontrol of Chocolate Banded Snail Using Steinernema Nematodes in Egypt

Mona A. Hussein ^1*,  Salem, H.A.  ¹

Land snails, especially in Egypt, significantly harm crops. Effective biocontrol using entomopathogenic nematodes offers sustainable pest management.

Abstract

Background: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been utilized as biopesticides in niche markets to control various plant pests. Land snails are significant pests in nurseries, greenhouses, orchards, and field crops globally. In Egypt, snails have become major agricultural pests, causing extensive damage to various crops across the Nile Delta. Methods: In a laboratory bioassay, the efficacy of four species of entomoparasitic nematodes from the Steinernematidae family was tested against the chocolate banded land snail, Massylaea vermiculata. The tested species included Steinernema carpocapsae (BA2), S. glaseri (S.g.), S. feltiae (S.f.), and S. scapterisci. Adult snails were exposed to four dosage levels: 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 infective juveniles (IJs) per 10 adults. Results: Data indicated that the mortality rates of M. vermiculata increased with higher inoculum levels of EPN treatments. Mortality was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in snails exposed to either Steinernema carpocapsae or S. scapterisci for two weeks compared to untreated snails exposed to water only. S. scapterisci was the most effective nematode against M. vermiculata, with an LC50 of 905.4 IJs. Conclusion: This study is the first to use Steinernema nematodes against M. vermiculata. The parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci shows potential as an effective biocontrol agent for managing M. vermiculata, one of the most troublesome molluscan pests, within a few days.

Keywords: Entomopathogenic Nematodes; Massylaea Vermiculata; Steinernema Scaptersci; Snail Control

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