September 2023 - 10

dr. bugs
BY RAYMOND A. CLOYD
How Does Growing Medium
Affect Nematodes?
Question: Can you please provide information on how
the growing medium can affect Steinernema feltiae?
Answer:
Raymond A.
Cloyd is professor
and Extension
specialist in
horticultural
entomology/
plant protection
at Kansas State
University. He
can be reached at
rcloyd@ksu.edu.
Steinernema feltiae is
an entomopathogenic
nematode used in
greenhouse production
systems to manage
fungus gnat, Bradysia
spp., larval populations
in the growing medium of
container-grown ornamental
and vegetable plants.
Steinernema feltiae is 1/64
of an inch (0.5 millimeters)
long, slender, transparent
and difficult to see with the
naked eye (Figure 1). Infective
juveniles enter the body cavity
(hemocoel) of fungus gnat
larvae through the mouth, anus
or breathing pores (spiracles).
After entering a fungus gnat
larva, S. feltiae releases a
bacterium, Xenorhabditis spp.,
which multiplies in the
bloodstream (hemolymph).
The bacterium produces toxins
that can kill a fungus gnat
larva within 24 to 48 hours.
The third stage infective
juveniles inside the fungus gnat
larva feed on the bacterium
and liquefied insect tissues,
which subsequently increases
10
SEPTEMBER 2023 GPNMAG.COM
Figure 1. Steinernema feltiae is an entomopathogenic nematode used to
manage fungus gnat larval populations in greenhouse production systems.
Photo by Raymond Cloyd.
their numbers. The fungus
gnat larva eventually dies
of bacterial septicemia. The
infective juveniles complete
their development inside
the dead fungus gnat larva,
becoming adults that produce
a new generation within the
fungus gnat larva. After two
to three generations (10 to
14 days) in which over 1,000
S. feltiae are produced,
infective juveniles leave
and search for new fungus
gnat larvae in the growing
medium to infect. Steinernema
feltiae is susceptible to
desiccation, which is why the
entomopathogenic nematode
is used primarily against
fungus gnat larvae located
in the growing medium.
Growing medium moisture
and temperature can affect
S. feltiae survival and
ability to locate fungus gnat

http://www.GPNMAG.COM

September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2023

Table of Contents
Editor's Report | Beauty is a Gift
40 Under 40 Perspectives | Using Digital Technology Effectively
Dr. Bugs | How Does Growing Medium Affect Nematodes?
Technically Speaking | The Importance of Transpiration
Management | Supply Chain Challenges
Marketing | 5 Floral Trends for 2023
Great Lakes EXPO | Emerging Technology in the Ag Industry
Culture Report | Senetti Pericallis
Vaughn's View | Bountiful and Durable Recipe Combinations — Part 2
Product Marketplace
Classifieds/Ad Index
Chat Room
September 2023 - 1
September 2023 - 2
September 2023 - Table of Contents
September 2023 - Editor's Report | Beauty is a Gift
September 2023 - 5
September 2023 - 6
September 2023 - 7
September 2023 - 40 Under 40 Perspectives | Using Digital Technology Effectively
September 2023 - 9
September 2023 - Dr. Bugs | How Does Growing Medium Affect Nematodes?
September 2023 - 11
September 2023 - Technically Speaking | The Importance of Transpiration
September 2023 - 13
September 2023 - 14
September 2023 - 15
September 2023 - Management | Supply Chain Challenges
September 2023 - 17
September 2023 - 18
September 2023 - 19
September 2023 - 20
September 2023 - 21
September 2023 - Marketing | 5 Floral Trends for 2023
September 2023 - 23
September 2023 - 24
September 2023 - 25
September 2023 - 26
September 2023 - 27
September 2023 - 28
September 2023 - 29
September 2023 - Great Lakes EXPO | Emerging Technology in the Ag Industry
September 2023 - 31
September 2023 - 32
September 2023 - 33
September 2023 - Culture Report | Senetti Pericallis
September 2023 - 35
September 2023 - 36
September 2023 - 37
September 2023 - 38
September 2023 - 39
September 2023 - Vaughn's View | Bountiful and Durable Recipe Combinations — Part 2
September 2023 - 41
September 2023 - 42
September 2023 - 43
September 2023 - 44
September 2023 - 45
September 2023 - 46
September 2023 - 47
September 2023 - 48
September 2023 - 49
September 2023 - Product Marketplace
September 2023 - 51
September 2023 - 52
September 2023 - 53
September 2023 - 54
September 2023 - 55
September 2023 - 56
September 2023 - Classifieds/Ad Index
September 2023 - Chat Room
September 2023 - 59
September 2023 - 60
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