beneficial nematodes for hive beetle control
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Beneficial Nematodes for Hive Beetle Control. Amanda Rose Newton 07.10.2013. Small worm-like creatures that like insects are classified as Arthropods Most plentiful animal on earth Microscopic Both destructive and beneficial . What is a Nematode??. Nematodes have funky lifestyles! - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Beneficial Nematodes for Hive Beetle Control
Amanda Rose Newton07.10.2013
What is a Nematode??
Small worm-like creatures that like insects are classified as Arthropods
Most plentiful animal on earth
MicroscopicBoth destructive
and beneficial
Nematodes
Nematodes have funky lifestyles!
Can be hermaphroditic or reproduces with mate once inside host
Been used in biocontrol since 1960s
Primarily used for caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc. due to host seeking abilities
Recently used successfully against snails and slugs
Hive Beetles
Small scarab beetle native to South Africa
Has been in US for roughly 30 years
Super Problematic in the South- loves heat and humidity!
Overwinters underground in soil as grubs
Life Cycle
1. Adult moves into colony
2. Builds Population3. Reproduces4. Damage to brood,
pollen, and honey5. Larvae leaves to
pupate6. Pupation and
Emergence7. Reinvasion
What is the Problem?
Hive beetles feed on honey, dead bees, and pollen.
Extremely destructive to the hive
Fecal matter discolors honey product and changes flavor; unsuitable for consumption
Current Solutions
Traps- several that attach at base or along sides of hive
Chemicals- many pyrethin based chemical tags on market
Nematodes
Effective?
Beetle traps are certainly effective for adults
NOT effective for control of larva!
Hive Beetle Trap Efficacy
How Nematode Control Works
Form of biocontrolTargets beetles
BEFORE destructive adult stage!
Nematodes consume larva and reduce number of adult emergence in spring
Ideal for keepers who already are seeing issues
Nematode Research
3 year Grant from EBA to study 2 species of nematodes and efficacy on hive beetle control
Began in Fall 2012 since targets were overwintering as larva
2 species- Heterorhabditis indica and Steinrnema carpocapsae reared in lab.
Releases will be made as soon as first freeze takes effect
Results measured following spring
Lab nematodes were also fed hive beetle larva in controlled setting to determine efficacy
Protocol
Nematodes monitored in lab, kept in cadavers of hive beetles, mealworms, and Japanese beetles.
In 2 years of study, showed little preference among three
Area around hive sectioned into grid and cadavers were collected from area following application
Steinernema carpocapsae
These nematodes are fairly broad spectrum and are effective against weevils, borers, rootworms, armyworms, Japanese beetle, and hive beetles.
Hive Beetle Efficacy assumed but not well documented.
Testing to determine feeding preference of this species.
Heterorhabditis indica
Heat and cold tolerant
Used primarily for white grubs and hive beetle control
Also successful in greenhouses for many gnat species
Well Researched
Efficacy of Nematode Treatment
Ellis JD, Delaplane KS, et al. published a paper that stated soil injected nematodes allowed for beetle control for +/- 19 weeks resulting in 76-94% mortality
Just 15 days post-application, soil treatments caused 78% control in a study by Shapiro-Ilan DI, et al.
How Nematodes Work
Nematodes are injected into soil or simply watered over area in a solution.
They will immediately “seek out” potential host
Penetrates larva through openings
Release bacteria into bloodstream
Causes septicemia and kills host in 24-48 hrs
Where to get Nematodes
Several Mail Order Companies
Some nurseriesGrow your own!
Creating Your Own Culture
You can set up your own culture at home- very cost effective!
All you need is a 4-6 oz Tupperware container, moist soil, and meal worm or other grub to serve as “volunteer” cadavers
1. Make the Housing
Supplies: ◦Tupperware container◦Lid with air holes◦Moist soil◦Water◦Meal Worms
2. Prepare meal media
Remember, nematodes count as “aquatic” species
Soil should be moistened with water until darkened
Then, it can be added to container with mealworms
Oats can be added as mealworm chow, if you feel generous
Add your nemas and your mealworms
3. Removing nematodes
You probably won’t be able to see your nematodes
Note that adults live about 15 days, but will hopefully reproduce
Fun Fact: bacteria associated with Heterorhabditis sp. Will turn your cadavers orange/red- good indicator that things are moving along as planned.
Long Term Nematode Rearing
If plan on keeping nematodes year round, recommend compost bucket method
Predatory nematodes need a variety of food sources and living in compost provides this
Similar to Vermiculture; low maintenance
KEEP MOIST
Releasing Nematodes
To get nematodes ready for release, can mix with small amount of water in spray bottle or put in small injector bottle
Due to small size, should be able to spray easily
If going compost route, just scoop and place around area and water.
Optimal Release Times
Hive Beetle Larva overwinter so the best time to release nematodes is when we know they are in ground!
Recommended to release after the first frost, before pupal development.
January-April
Monitoring Efficacy
Can be hard to determine if nematodes are doing their job!
Best way: OBSERVATION!◦ Take notes◦ Look for cadavers in soil◦ Observe numbers of
adults in spring◦ Compare to previous
years
Questions?