Mechanism Analysis of Pest Control by Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes, such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), are specialized parasitic natural enemies of insects. They are an important class of pest biocontrol factors, with high host-seeking ability, high infestation lethality, rapid action time, harmless to mammals, and relatively simple mass production, and have great potential for application in sustainable pest management. There are three stages of development, including egg, larvae, and adult. The larvae have 4 instars and become adults after 4 molts. Infested larvae generally stagnate and do not feed, except in the tolerant state (dauer juvenile), the only stage in the life history of beneficial nematodes that infests host insects.

Lifeasible makes full use of our specialized libraries, selection strategies, and maturation techniques to optimize the stability and performance of plant science. With advanced technology and experienced staff, we provide mechanism analysis of pest control by beneficial nematodes to global clients to support their research.

Analysis of Entry Routes to Hosts

• After actively searching or being attracted to the host, nematodes in the infestation stage enter the host's blood cavity through the insect's natural openings (mouth, anus, and stomata), wounds, or intersegmental membranes and subsequently release symbiotic bacteria carried in the gut lumen.
• Lifeasible provides analysis of beneficial nematode entry into the host, mainly by the host itself or by chemical stimuli from other substances, such as odors from feces or carbon dioxide from respiration.

Fig.1 Pest control by beneficial nematodes.

Analysis of Dispersal and Host-Seeking Modes

• Nematodes can move horizontally and vertically in a humid environment using water films. Most of them crawl along a sinusoidal route driven by the tension of the water film and spread through the environment (both horizontally and vertically) to find their hosts.
• We provide analysis of nematode dispersal and host finding patterns, including both active and passive dissemination. In addition, we also help analyze the process of host recognition by nematodes, which generally occurs after contact with the host's secretions or insect epidermis.

Pathogenicity Analysis of Beneficial Nematodes and Symbiotic Bacteria

• The infested nematode larvae carry symbiotic bacteria in their gut. Once they find a host, they enter the insect's body cavity through natural openings in the host's epidermis (mouth, anus, and stomata), wounds, or intersegmental membranes of the body wall and start releasing the symbiotic bacteria until the host is depleted of nutrients, resulting in the death of the host.
• We provide pathogenicity analysis of beneficial nematodes and symbiotic bacteria, including Enterboacetriaceae, Xenohabdus, Photorhabdus, and others. Various substances are involved in the lethal effect of symbiotic bacteria on insects, and our list of services also includes lipopolysaccharide, high molecular weight insecticidal toxins, proteases, makes caterpillars floppy (Mcf), antibiotics, etc.

Lifeasible offers reliable mechanism analysis of pest control by beneficial nematodes to meet your research demands. With years of experience in plant science, our advanced platforms can help our clients solve various difficulties and conduct research. If you are interested in our services or have any questions, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.