MOLECULAR AND MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF Heterorhabditis indica (STRAIN CP13JA) ISOLATED IN THE CULTIVATION SUGARCANE

Background. Heterorhabditis and Steinernema are two genera of entomopathogen nematodes used as effective biocontrollers in pest insect control. Target. To describe the morphometry, morphology and thus the molecular description of a new Heterorhabditis indica isolate, for the cultivation of sugarcane and its possible contamination against insect pests in Mexico. Methodology. This was obtained from soil samples through the technique of the insect bait (Galleria mellonella). Morphometric and morphological studies, in addition to molecular techniques (ITS1+5.8S+ITS2), were performed to correctly identify H. indica CP13JA strain. This new strain of H. indica for the state of Veracruz was compared to H. indica originally described in India. Results. The presence of H. indica isolated from the sugar cane crop is reported in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Likewise, the results obtained in this investigation identified as the characteristics of infectious juveniles, as well as amphitic males and females do not present differences in relation to the morphometry, morphometry and morphology of the original description; as well as in the molecular studies of the SU rDNA. Implications. Therefore, the presence of H. indica strain CP13JA is considered important within the sugarcane crop and for the state of Veracruz where it was isolated, as well as the potential that this isolation may have for the insect pest insects belonging that attack this crop. Conclusion. H. indica strain CP13JA does not present morphometric and molecular differences with the species recently described in India, in addition the presence of H. indica is considered new within the cultivation of sugar cane in Mexico