Effect of temperature on the infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhaditidae) isolated from Mizoram, northeastern India

Abstract

The study investigates the effect of temperature on the infectivity of two entomopathogenic nema-todes, viz. Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis indica, locally isolated from Mizoram, northeastern India, using last instar larvae of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, as an insect host. Two hun-dred infective juveniles/larva of wax moth were exposed to different temperatures, viz. 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. It is observed that temperature play a significant role in infectivity of the two nematodes. No establishment of IJs were observed at 10°C, in addition 15°C in H. indica, and 35°C. Steinernema sp. appeared to be best adapted to temperatures between 15 and 30°C with an opti-mum temperature range of 25-30°C, whereas H. indica appeared to be adapted to temperatures between 20 and 30°C with an optimum temperature of 30°C.