Commercially Available Products
Steinernema feltiae
Specific mutualistic bacterium for this species is — Xenohabdus bovienii.
Target phytophagans:
Various sciarid species (Bradysia spp, Lycoriella spp., Sciara spp.), including fungus and cucumber gnats, leaf-miners (Liriomyza spp., Phytomyza spp.), western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola). There is some information about application of this nematode species against codling moth (Cydia pomonella).
Target crops:
The vegetable and flower-ornamental crops of glass-covered ground, mushrooms (champignons), strawberry, the vegetables of outdoor growing.
Peculiarities of application:
The rate of application against sciarid species is 0.5–1 millions per m2, against western flower thrips in ornamental crops is 1.25 billions per 1 ha (preventive treatments), and if the number of phytophagans is high this figure is 2.5 billions per 1 ha.
Steinernema carpocapsae
Specific mutualistic bacterium for this species is — Xenohabdus nematophilus.
Target phytophagans:
European strawberry weevil (Otiorhynus sulcatus), some species of owl-moths (Agrotis spp), cotton noctuid moth (Heliothis armigera), codling moth (Cydia pomonella). It is also used for the control of mole crickets (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa), crane flies (Tipula spp.), leaf-miners (Liriomyza spp.), mint borers, grass caterpillars, weevils, alfalfa snout beetle, flea-beetles, stem borers and fungus gnats.
Target crops:
The vegetable and the flower-ornamental crops of glass-covered ground, the vegetables of outdoor growing, strawberry, currant. It is also recommended for cranberry on peat substrate.
Peculiarities of application:
The common rate of product application for preventive treatments is 0.5 millions, if the density of pest population is high or average the rate is 1 million per 1 m2.
Steinernema kraussei
Specific mutualistic bacterium for this species is — Xenorhabdus spp.
Target phytophagans:
European strawberry weevil (Otiorhynus sulcatus), however it is also effective against other soil insects.
Target crops:
The vegetable and the flower-ornamental crops of glass-covered ground; the currant, the strawberry, the grape and the vegetables of outdoor growing.
Peculiarities of application:
The effective rate of application of the product against European strawberry weevil is 1 million per 1 m2. It is recommended two treatments. The optimal term of application in outdoor growing is March-May or August-September. It is important to note that the product is effective against the larva stage of the phytophagan and it doesn’t exerts influence on eggs and imago. The product is effective at low temperatures (+3–5°C), and it can overwinter mild winters outdoor.
Heterorhabditis megidis
Specific mutualistic bacterium for this species is — Photorhabdus luminescens.
Target phytophagans:
European strawberry weevil Otiorhynus sulcatus), Tipula spp., shore-flies (Scatella stagnalis), European beetle (Melolontha melolontha).
Target crops:
Flower-ornamental, fruit and berry crops, grape.
Peculiarities of application:
The rate of application of the product is 0.5–1 millions per 1 m2. The optimal term of product application is April-May or August-September. It is necessary to maintain the optimal ecological conditions (temperature, humidity) in the process of use. The product is effective against all the stages of phytophagan ontogenesis, except eggs.
Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita
Target phytophagans:
Gastropods, (slugs (Deroceras reticulatum, Deroceras caruanae, Arion ater, Arion intermedius, Arion distinctus, Arion silvaticus, Tandonia budapestensis, Tandonia sowerbyi), snails (Monacha cantiana, Lymnaea stagnalis, Helix aspersa, Theba pisana, Cernuella virgata, Cochlicella acuta)).
Target crops:
Vegetables (including lettuce), flower-ornamental, the fruit and the berry (strawberry, currant) crops of outdoor growing, grass-plats.
Peculiarities of application:
It is a high effective biological molluscicide. When the product is applied by means of watering of substrate its rate of application is 1 pack (250 millions) per 200 liters of water thereby the consumption rate of treating fluid is 2 liters per 1 m2. If the product is applied by dusting, the rate of application is 1 pack (250 millions) per 50 liters of water thereby the consumption rate of treating fluid is 1 liters per 1 m2. It is recommended to use the product when pests are present (spring and autumn). The best effect of application is obtained against the junior ages of phytophagan development.
Advantages of Product Use
- an effective control of phytophagans up to 4–6 weeks;
- the simplicity and the safety of application (natural product);
- a wide range of target phytpophagans, including soil species;
- resistance to many synthetic chemical pesticides;
- the product doesn’t exert a negative effect (inhibition of growth process and other) on plants;/li>
- it is admitted the performance of treatments in the process of crop flowering;
- the nematodes are compatible with the biological and the integrated systems of plant protection.
Package of Products
The products are packed in transparent plastic containers (trays) which are in a cardboard package. The entomopathogenic nematodes are supplied in nutrient media (it is possible the presence of filling materials (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita contains vermiculite) which is jelly. The products Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema kraussei, Heterorhabditis megidis, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita contain 1 tray in a pack, which includes 250 millions of the entomopathogenic nematodes.
The product Steinernema feltiae can be supplied in the following package: 1 tray containing 50 millions of individuals; a pack consisting of 5 trays with 50 millions in each (i.e. the pack contains 250 millions of individuals); a pack consisting of 5 trays with 250 millions (i.e. the pack contains 1.25 billions of individuals) of entomopathogenic nematodes.
Storage and Transportation
- It is necessary to remove an external package after receiving;
- It is admitted short-term storage of the product at a temperature of +5 °C. Don’t refrigerate;
- Provide with good air circulation around the packs with the product;
- The contents of the tray is used for one application. Don’t store an open tray;
- Use before the end of serviceable life.
