Steinernema feltiae attracts to cues from slugs

Scavenging and entomopathogenic nematodes

It has been demonstrated that an entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae that only infect and kill their insect host but it can also be attracted to the cues released from the slug cadavers suggesting that entomopathogenic nematodes can feed on carcasses of other organisms (Nermut et al., 2012).

Read following literature on scavenging behavior and entomopathogenic nematodes

Baur, M.E., Kaya, H.K. and Strong, D.R. 1998. Foraging ants as scavengers on entomopathogenic nematode-killed insects. Biological Control 12: 231-236.

Foltan, P. and Puza, V. 2009. To complete their life cycle, pathogenic nematode-bacteria complexes deter scavengers from feeding on their host cadaver.  Behavioural Processes 80: 76-79.

Nermut, J., Puza, V. and Mracek, Z. 2012.  The response of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) to different host-associated cues. Biological Control 61: 201-206.

Puza, V. and Mracek, Z. 2010.   Does scavenging extend the host range of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Steinernematidae)?  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 104: 1-3

San-Blas, E. and Gowen, S.R. 2008.   Facultative scavenging as a survival strategy of entomopathogenic nematodes. International Journal for Parasitology 38: 85-91.

San-Blas, E. and Gowen, S.R. and Pembroke, B. 2008.  Scavenging or infection? Possible host choosing by entomopathogenic nematodes. Nematology 10: 251-259.

Resistance of Pulmonate slug, Limax pseudoflavus to slug-parasitic nematode

Slugs and slug- parasitic nematodes

According to Rae et al. (2008), slug parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita was not effective against the pulmonate Slug species, Limax pseudoflavus because nematode infective juveniles were encapsulated and killed in the slug shells due to the immune response of slug, Limax pseudoflavus.

Read following papers about interaction between different slug species and the slug-parasitic nematode.

Grewal, S.K., Grewal, P.S. and Hammond, R.B. 2003.  Susceptibility of North American native and non-native slugs (Mollusca : Gastropoda) to Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda : Rhabditidae).  Biocontrol Science and Technology  13: 119-125.

Nermut, J., Puza, V. and Mracek, Z. 2012.  The response of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) to different host-associated cues. Biological Control 61: 201-206.

Rae, R., Verdun, C., Grewal, P., Robertson, J.F. and Wilson, M.J.  2007.  Biological control of terrestrial molluscs using Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita - progress and prospects. Pest Management Science 63: 1153-1164.

Rae, R.G., Robertson, J.F. and Wilson, M.J.  2006. The chemotactic response of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda : Rhabditida) to cues of Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca : Gastropoda).  Nematology 8: 197-200.

Rae, R.G., Robertson, J.F. and Wilson, M.J.  2008. Susceptibility and immune response of Deroceras reticulatum, Milax gagates and Limax pseudoflavus exposed to the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 97: 61-69.

Rae, R.G., Robertson, J.F. and Wilson, M.J.  2009. Chemoattraction and host preference of the gastropod parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.  Journal of Parasitology 95: 517-526.

Ross, J.L., Ivanova, E.S., Sirgel, W.F., Malan, A.P. and Wilson, M.J.  Diversity and distribution of nematodes associated with terrestrial slugs in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Journal of Helminthology 86: 215-221.

Small, R.W. and Bradford, C. 2008.  Behavioural responses of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda : Rhabditida) to mucus from potential hosts. Nematology 10: 591-598.

New slug-parasitic nematodes from South Africa

Slug-parasitic nematodes

Recently, three new species of slug-parasitic nematodes namely Angiostoma sp., Phasmarhabditis sp. SA1 and Phasmarhabditis sp. SA2 have been reported from Western Cape Province of South Africa (Ross at al., 2012). These slug-parasitic nematodes were recovered during a survey and identified using both morphological and molecular techniques.

Literature

Ross, J.L., Ivanova, E.S., Sirgel, W.F., Malan, A.P. and Wilson, M.J. 2012. Diversity and distribution of nematodes associated with terrestrial slugs in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Journal of Helminthology 86: 215-221.