Nitrogen Partitioning in Heterorhabditis bacteriophora-Infected Hosts and the Effects of Nitrogen on Attraction/Repulsion

Entomopathogenic nematode behavior is affected by the condition of their infected hosts. We hypothesized that nitrogen compounds released from infected hosts may be one factor affecting entomopathogenic nematode host-finding and infection behaviors. Our objectives were to (1) investigate the partitioning of nitrogen in Galleria mellonella (L.) infected by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar and (2) determine attraction and repulsion of H. bacteriophora to various quantities of nitrogen (ammonia). Volatile (ammonia), organic, and inorganic nitrogen forms were monitored during the course of infection. Approximately 0.052 mg of nitrogen was released from a single infected host as volatile ammonia. Most of the ammonia release was detected within the first 3 days postinoculation. Organic nitrogen increased during the course of infection, whereas inorganic nitrogen decreased. The net nitrogen change in the infected host consisted of a loss of approximately 47 mg, most of which was lost within the 1st week of infection. Accelerated loss of nitrogen early in the infection process was likely correlated with activity and growth of bacterial symbionts. Increased organic nitrogen was likely associated with nematode reproduction within the host. Attraction or repulsion of H. bacteriophora to nitrogen (ammonium hydroxide) was measured on agar quadrant plates. Nematodes were attracted to 16 and 160 μg of nitrogen and repelled by concentrations of 1600 and 8000 μg. Our data indicate that nitrogen released from H. bacteriophora-infected hosts attracts nematodes at lower levels (early in the infection) and repels them at higher concentrations (later in the infection process).