title: Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematode strains against engorged Boophilus annulatus females (Acari: Ixodidae) under simulated field conditions.
abstract: The biocidal efficacy of entompathogenic nematodes against engorged females of Boophilus annulatus (Say) was evaluated in soil-filled buckets in a greenhouse, where conditions resemble nature. The 9 tested nematode strains differed markedly in their effect upon tick mortality. The Mexican strain of Steinernema carpocapsae was most efficient, inducing 100% tick mortality at a concentration of 50 nematodes per square centimeter. An increase in the concentration of the S. carpocapsae DT strain to > 200 IJ/cm2 failed to kill more ticks. It appears that entomopathogenic nematodes show promise as tick control agents.
authors.affiliation: Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet-Dagan, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samish
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alekseev
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Glazer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D009348:Nematoda / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology; D013987:Ticks / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil