The malacopathogenic nematode Phasmarhabditis californica does not affect the survival of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia fetida) or insects (Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor)
2022
Cutler, James | Rae, Robbie
Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita is a parasitic nematode of terrestrial gastropods that has been formulated into a successful biological control agent used on farms and gardens across Europe. There are reports of members of the Phasmarhabditis genus affecting the survival of non-target organisms under lab conditions e.g. earthworms. Therefore, we exposed two species of earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia hortensis) and insect (Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor) to a range of doses of P. californica (0, 30 and 150 nematodes per cm²). P. californica did not affect earthworm or insect survival emphasising these nematodes are gastropod parasites that pose no risk to earthworms or insects (based on laboratory trials).
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library