Progeny production of Steinernema abbasi in lepidopterous larvae

Progeny production of a new entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema abbasi in various lepidopterous prepupae was investigated. Most dauer juveniles (DJs) developed in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (234 000) but the bollworms Helicoverpa virescens (220 000) and Spodoptera exigua (166 000) were also good hosts. Progeny production was independent of the number of nematodes invading the host between the doses of 40 and 230 DJs. The infectivity of DJs declined when they were stored for 3 months but at 30°C approximately 11% of the DJs were still infective. S. abbasi is a nematode of the semi-arid tropics and it would be possible to use the nematode to target pests in these areas if it can be produced satisfactorily locally.