Greenhouse whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and the sweet potato whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) pose a significant threat to greenhouse and field vegetables. Beneficial nematodes like Steinernema feltiae are microscopic roundworms used for biological control of various insect pests including whiteflies.
Read MoreBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FUNGUS GNATS WITH PREDATORY MITES /
Predatory mites, formally known as Stratiolaelaps scimitus (formerly Hypoaspis miles), are currently employed for the biological control of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.).
Read MoreA Report of Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema sangi from Mizoram /
Based on both the morphological and molecular characteristics, the entomopathogenic nematodes collected from different parts of the Mizoram were conspecific to Steinernema sangi.
Read MoreA new species of entomopathogenic nematode from Poland /
A new species of entomopathogenic nematode named Steinernema sandneri has been recently reported from Poland.
Read MoreBeneficial Stratiolaelaps scimitus mites for Thrip Control /
Beneficial predatory Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis miles) mites are considered as excellent biological agents to target and kill the soil-dwelling pupae of the western flower thrips that present in the soil.
Read MoreBeneficial nematodes can be used for control of wireworms /
Beneficial enetomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema riobrave nematodes have potential to be used as best biological control agents for controlling wireworms infesting wheat crops.
Read MoreControl of Shore Fly with Steinernema carpocapsae Nematodes /
Beneficial entomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes are currently used as excellent biocontrol agents for the control of shore flies.
Read MorePhysical and cultural control of fungus gnats /
All the larval (maggots) stages of fungus gnats cause direct damage to many ornamental plants by chewing or stripping and tunneling on their healthy root and stem tissues.
Read MoreCombating of fall armyworms with beneficial Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes /
How Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes will kill the fall armyworms?
When Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes are applied to the pasture fields, they will actively search for all the soil-dwelling larval and pupal stages of fall armyworms. After locating larva or pupa, nematodes will enter into their body cavity through the natural openings like anus, mouth and spiracles. In the body cavity, nematodes will release symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus nematophila) in the blood where bacteria will multiply quickly, cause septicemia and kill both larva and pupa within 48 hours of infection. Thus the killing of both larvae and pupae completely stops the emergence of next generation of adult fall armyworms.
Read MoreManage greenhouse whiteflies with parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa /
Both the adults and larvae of Encarsia formosa can kill whiteflies by causing physical injuries and feeding internally on them. Briefly, adult wasps puncture the body of whitefly nymphs or pupae with their ovipositor and feed externally on the oozing blood (hemolymph) and the body content of the nymphs or pupae. Also, females of Encarsia formosa lay eggs using their ovipositor inside the body of adults and nymphs of whiteflies. After hatching from eggs, the wasp larvae will then start feeding internally on the body content of whitefly nymphs or pupae and eventually kill them.
Read MoreHow to control dog and cat fleas with Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes? /
Currently, beneficial entomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes have been used as successful alternatives to chemical pesticides for controlling fleas. This is because nematodes are not harmful to dogs, cats and humans, easy to apply, and can kill both larval and pupal stages of fleas with 48 hours after their application and stop the emergence of future generation adults.
Read MoreControl whiteflies with predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in greenhouses /
Amblyseius swirskii mites are commercially available as mixed stages of adults and larvae and are currently used as a biological control agent for controlling whiteflies, which are serious pests of greenhouse plants. Both the larvae and adults of Amblyseius swirskii are very active and therefore they can quickly disperse after their application in the greenhouses to seek their hosts including whiteflies. Amblyseius swirskii mites are known to feed voraciously on all the stages of whiteflies. As these mites can eat over 10 whiteflies or eggs or nymphs per day, they can eliminate whitefly populations quickly in the greenhouses.
Read MoreBiological Control of Spider Mites with Predatory Insects and Mites /
Biological control of spider mites can be achieved by using the predatory insects including green lacewing, ladybugs, minute pirate bugs and gall midges, and predatory mites including Amblyseius andersoni can directly feed on spider mites and reduce their population below their economic damage level. Please click on each predatory insect and mites for detailed information on their rate and timing of of application for the effective control spider mites in your greenhouse and gardens.
Read MoreWhen and how to apply Heterorhabditis indica for small hive beetle control? /
Small hive beetles, Aethina tumida are the most devastating insect pest of honey bee (Aphis mellifera) hives (Photo 1). Both adults and larvae of small hive beetle cause direct and indirect damages to honeybees. In case of direct damage, larvae of small hive beetle directly feed on the honeybee brood, honey. pollen and destroy honeycombs. In case of indirect damage, both adults and larvae of small hive beetle spread yeast, Kodamaea ohmeri into the colony and yeast that grows on the honeycombs causes fermentation of honey, which is not suitable for human consumption or as the food for honeybees.
Read MoreOrganic control of plant nematodes with entomopathogenic nematodes /
Plant nematodes are microscopic unsegmented roundworms (Photo 1) that cause severe damage to many plant species. A handful soil may contain several different species of plant nematodes including root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.), Sting (Belonolaimus spp.), lance (Hoplolaimus spp.), root- lesion (Pratylenchus spp.), ring (Mesocriconema spp.), stubby-root (Paratrichodorus spp.), spiral (Helicotylenchus spp.), dagger (Xiphinema spp.) and cyst (Heterodera spp.) nematodes (Photo 1). Of these nematode species, root- nematode is considered the most economically important pests of many plant species including field crops (cotton, peanut, soybean, corn etc) and vegetables (tomato, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants etc).
Read MoreOrganic control of fungus gnats with predatory mite, Stratiolaelaps scimitus /
Predatory mites, Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis miles) are currently used for the organic control of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.).
Read MoreOrganic Control of Whiteflies with Beneficial Nematodes /
Whiteflies are one of the most damaging insect pests of many greenhouse and field vegetables. The beneficial nematodes like Steinernema feltiae can be used for the effective killing of whiteflies.
Read MoreEarly October is the best month to kill Japanese beetle grubs with beneficial nematodes /
Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are one of the most damaging insect pests of many agricultural and horticultural crops, ornamental plants and turfgrasses. Larvae of Japanese beetles are also called as grubs that mainly damage plant roots whereas their adults damage only aboveground plant parts like flowers, fruits, leaves and twigs.
Read MoreNematicidal activities of plant and bacteria based volatiles /
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with nematicidal activities are naturally occurring chemicals generally found in and easily emitted as vapors and gases from many living organisms like bacteria and fungi, and plants.
Read MoreKill fall armyworms now and stop their northward migration during spring /
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is one of the most economically important pests of different plant species including corn, sorghum, forage, and turf grasses. Although fall armyworm larvae actively damage crops throughout the United States during growing season, they generally die when harsh winter begins in northern, central and eastern United States. Then question arises how they could re-infest fields and cause damage to the crops grown in these areas during spring and summer again.
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