Project Number: 6606-22000-011-12
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
Measure the behavioral responses of infective juvenile entomopathogenic nematodes to contact cues produced by infected hosts.

Approach:
Experiment 1: Parasitic response to host contact. Nematodes (three species) will be exposed to cuticles of non-infected insects, or infected insects at various periods of infection and placed on agar to determine the effect of host contact on nematode search behavior. A no-insect control will also be included. Experiment 2: Parasite attraction/repulsion to host exudates. Hosts infected with nematodes (three species) will be exposed and will be placed on agar at various stages of infection. The response (attraction/repulsion) to the exudates from these infected hosts will be determined in agar plate assays. Experiment 3: Sphere of influence of nematode-infected cadavers. Nematodes (three species) will be applied to soil flats containing potential hosts. The nematodes will either be applied in infected hosts or in aqueous suspension. The influence of the infected host on distribution of nematodes in the soil will be ascertined by removing soil samples over an 18-day period.

Project Team

Shapiro Ilan, David

Related National Programs

Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)