Volume 7 Number 1 2024
Biocontrol of Chocolate Banded Snail Using Steinernema Nematodes in Egypt
Mona A. Hussein 1*, Salem, H.A. 1
Microbial Bioactives 7 (1) 1-5 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.719666
Submitted: 02 April 2024 Revised: 04 May 2024 Published: 15 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Certain niche markets have employed entomopathogenic nematodes EPNs as biopesticides to manage various plant pests’ infestations. Land snails are serious pests in nurseries, greenhouses, orchards, and field crops worldwide. In Egypt, snails became the most important agricultural pests causing substantial damage to different crops all over the Nile Delta.
Methods: In a laboratory bioassay, the efficiency of four different species of entomoparasitic nematodes belong to the family Steinernematidae were tested against the chocolate banded land snail Massylaea vermiculata. The tested species are Steinernema carpocapsae (BA2), S. glaseri (S.g.), S. feltiae (S.f.) and S. scapterisci. The adult snails were exposed to four doses levels of 1000; 2000; 3000 and 4000 IJs/ 10 adults.
Results: Data revealed that the mortality percentages of the land snail increased by increasing inoculum levels of EPNs treatments. Mortality was significantly (P < 0.001) greater in M. vermiculata exposed to either Steinernema carpocapsae or S. scaptersci for 2 weeks than in untreated snails exposed to only water. The EPNs S. scaptersci was the most effective nematode against M. vermiculata (LC50 recorded 905.4 IJs).
Conclusion: This is the first report to use Steinernema nematodes against M. vermiculata. The parasitic nematodes, Steinernema scaptersci, could play an important role in controlling M. vermiculata, one of the most pestiferous Mollusca in nature within few days. Keywords: entomopathogenic nematodes; Massylaea vermiculata; Steinernema scaptersci; snail control
Keywords: Entomopathogenic Nematodes; Massylaea Vermiculata; Steinernema Scaptersci; Snail Control
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