Heterorhabditis bacteriophora: seasonal dynamics and distribution in a stand of sugar maple, Acer saccharum.
The seasonal dynamics of an indigenous entomopathogenic nematode, a new strain of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, "Nittany strain," in a stand of sugar maple, Acer saccharum, were examined utilizing a Galleria mellonella bait method. Seasonal dynamics are described in relation to soil temperature; occurrence is related to distance from a tree bole. A correlation between soil temperature and the number of infected G. mellonella was observed. Soil temperature had a significant effect on the number of positive samples, i.e., soil samples containing infected G. mellonella, obtained. In addition, seasonality had a significant effect on whether positive samples were obtained on a given date. There was no significant difference in the abundance of positive samples among three distances from a tree bole, namely, at the base of the tree, 2 m from the bole, or at the dripline.
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Department of Entomology, Penn State University, 501 A.S.I. Building, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA.
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D000818:Animals; D007313:Insecta / Q000469:parasitology*; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D017172:Rhabditoidea / Q000254:growth & development*; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D013696:Temperature; D014197:Trees
D012987:Soil