Responses of the entomopathogenic nematode,Steinernema riobraveto its insect hosts,Galleria mellonellaandTenebrio molitor

Abstract

SUMMARYPotential hosts for infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes can vary considerably in quality based on the characteristics of the host species/stage, physiological status (e.g. stress, feeding on toxins), and infection status (heterospecific or conspecific infection). In this study, we investigated responses of the entomopathogenic nematodeSteinernema riobraveto hosts (Galleria mellonellaorTenebrio molitor) that were previously parasitized with conspecifics or injected with the nematode-symbiotic bacterium,Xenorhabdussp., to determine if there is a preference for previously parasitized/injected hosts and when this preference might occur. In no-choice bioassays, the number of juveniles infecting both host species decreased with increasing time post-infection. However, infective juveniles continued to infect previously parasitized hosts up to 72 h. Significant preference was exhibited byS. riobravefor 24 h post-infectionG. mellonellalarvae over uninfected, and by 24 h post-injectionG.mellonellalarvae over 48 h post-injection larvae. No significant preference was exhibited byS. riobraveforT. molitorhosts previously parasitized with conspecifics or those injected with bacteria in any treatment combination. Such preference for, or continued infection of parasitized insects, has the potential to impact nematode efficacy.