Effect of Inoculation Concentration on Pathogenicity, Development, Propagation and Body Length of Entomopathogenic Nematode, Steinernema arenarium (Nematoda: Steinernematidae)
Effect of inoculation level on pathogenicity, development, and propagation of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema arenarium was investigated using the last instar of great wax moth, Galleria mellonella. Pathogenicity of S. arenarium was higher with increasing inoculation level representing 82% at the rate of 5 infective juveniles (IJs) while >98% at the rate of >10 IJs. The number of IJs penetrated into the host was 2.7, 5.0, 7.4, and 12.2 at the rate of 5, 10, 20, and 40 IJs, respectively while 24.3 at the rate of 80 IJs and 40.2 at the rate of 160 IJs. Inoculation level did not affect female adult size (4,616 to 6,444 ㎛) while affected male adult size (1,600 to 1,934 ㎛). The rate of stunted female adults was 70.2% at the inoculation level of 80 IJs and 63.7% at the inoculation level of 160 IJs. The number of progenies was 20,431, 26,696, 47,943, 50,516, 58,701, and 74,235 at the rate of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 IJs, respectively. The body lengths of IJs were different depending on inoculation level ranging from 636 to 1,496 ㎛.