Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar) - the first member from Heterorhabditidae family in Slovenia

Žiga LAZNIK; Tímea TÓTH; Tamás LAKATOS; Stanislav TRDAN

doi:10.14720/aas.2009.93.2.14999

Authors

Žiga LAZNIK University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Agronomy, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1111 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tímea TÓTH Vadastag 2, H-4244 Újfehértó, Hungary
Tamás LAKATOS Vadastag 2, H-4244 Újfehértó, Hungary
Stanislav TRDAN University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Agronomy, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1111 Ljubljana, Slovenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2009.93.2.14999

Keywords:

biological control, entomopathogenic nematodes, indigenous species, Slovenia, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditidae, first record

Abstract

In August 2008, we examined 95 soil samples for the occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes in eastern part of Slovenia. 11 samples from 9 different locations were positive to entomopathogenic nematodes, but to this time only sample D54 was analysed. This soil sample was collected in Dravograd. Genetic studies proved that the nematode species in this sample was Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. This is the first record of Heterorhabditis nematode in Slovenia. Until now we confirmed the presence of four entomopathogenic nematode species in Slovenia; Steinernema affine, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema kraussei. We expect that in Slovenia the use of these biological agents against insect pests will become important alternative to insecticides as it is known in many other countries of the world.