Behavioural and physiological responses of infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis to desiccation

摘要: Infective juveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are susceptible to a wide variety environmental factors, including desiccation, which limit their usefulness as biocontrol agents. Although EPNs can be subjected gradual loss water in natural environment they not full anhydrobiotes, being able survive only moderate levels desiccation at high relative humidities (rh). We investigated the tolerance IJs several Heterorhabditisspecies and strains when exposed fast slow regimes. also behavioural biochemical responses Heterorhabditis 98% rh for 4 days. H. megidis UK211 (but indica) aggregate into large clumps desiccated rh, but unlike Steinernema spp., neither nor indica showed any tendency coil. Preincubation (98%) enhances ability 150 min 57% rh. show that preincubation induces synthesis glycerol trehalose, whereas identical conditions do induce trehalose carpocapsae Aphelenchus avenae. The biosynthesis rather than by two species response indicates is unlikely have necessary metabolic required enable it enter fully anhydrobiotic state.