Interaction of two entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and S. glaseri under laboratory conditions

We investigated the interaction between two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) Steinernema carpocapsae and S. glaseri. In this study, we examined pathogenicity and propagation of S. carpocapsae, and S. glaseri, and their combinations against wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella. Difference of pathogenicity was found between S. carpocapsae (53%) and S. glaseri (6%) by 6 d after inoculation on the one on one test. However, the combination of two EPNs showed no significant difference on filter paper test. From these results, the combinations of two EPNs have no effect on pathogenicity. On propagation, we found only S. glaseri inside the body of wax moth under combined treatment cinditions. Hence, there is not evidence for competition of propagation. Moreover, the pathogenicity of S carpocapsae superior to that of S.glaseri on the one on one test and filter paper test (250IJs/dish) .These results showed complexity between EPN pathogenicity/propagation and its density. In this study,combinations of S. carpocapsae and S. glaseri resulted no negative effect each other.