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Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations

Thesis (PhD (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2021.

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Other Authors: Hurley, Brett P.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2021
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Hurley, Brett P.
author_browse Hurley, Brett P.
author_facet Hurley, Brett P.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2021.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:09.504Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2021
publishDateRange 2021
publishDateSort 2021
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/83095 Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations Hurley, Brett P. u18374108@tuks.co.za Slippers, Bernard Wondafrash, Mesfin Malan, Antoinette Katumanyane, Agil Entomology UCTD Thesis (PhD (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2021. In South Africa, white grubs are important pests of sugarcane and wattle. There is need for a sustainable management alternative since their control has mainly been through the use of chemical insecticides. Such alternatives can include the use of entomopathogenic nematodes, EPNs. A review of the available literature revealed that EPNs can potentially provide a higher percentage control of white grubs, when compared to chemical insecticides. However, this control efficacy is characterized by several inconsistencies that can be attributed to differences in the EPN species, environmental conditions, and the resistance of white grubs to EPN infection. To increase efficacy of EPNs against white grubs, these inconsistencies need to be minimized, for example by using locally isolated EPN species that are better adapted to the local environment. In this project, I investigated the potential use of locally isolated EPNs as an alternative biological control method for white grubs in South Africa. I examined EPN associations with white grubs collected from wattle and sugarcane plantations in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. Using bioassays, EPN pathogenicity towards white grubs as well as the white grub resistance mechanisms to EPN infection were evaluated using eleven locally isolated EPNs. The results indicated that the mortality percentage of the white grubs varied significantly but was low for most of the EPN species tested, except for the EPN Heterorhabditis zealandica MJ2C. When H. zealandica MJ2C was used in a probit test, its varying lethal dosages were revealed for the different white grubs. The experiments to investigate the physiological defence mechanisms of the grubs showed that the ability of the nematodes to penetrate the white grubs, the encapsulation rates and growth in the haemolymph varied between the EPNs and the white grub species. However, the different species of the EPN symbiotic bacteria were able to grow in the haemolymph of all the white grub species tested, implying that white grubs avoid initial attack of EPNs as a resistance mechanism. During a survey for white grubs in the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, sporadic incidence of larvae with symptoms of nematode infections were detected. Incubation of the infected cadavers resulted in isolation of three EPN species. This is the first report of locally occurring EPNs found naturally associated with white grub species in South Africa. This project also resulted in the description of a new EPN species from South Africa, described as Steinernema bertusi Katumanyane, Malan, Tiedt & Hurley (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). The newly described EPN species was the fifth species to be included in the Cameroonense-clade, the 12th Steinernema species described from South Africa, of which only a 100 species are currently described in the world. The Tree Protection Co-operative Programme The Centre Of Excellence In Plant Health Biotechnology Zoology and Entomology PhD (Entomology) Unrestricted 2021-12-20T12:31:33Z 2021-12-20T12:31:33Z 2022-04-21 2021 Thesis Katumanyane, A 2021, Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations, PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, A2022 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83095 en © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Entomology
UCTD
Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
title Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
title_full Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
title_fullStr Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
title_full_unstemmed Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
title_short Entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
title_sort entomopathogenic nematode interactions with white grubs from forest and sugarcane plantations
topic Entomology
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83095