Occurrence and diversity of the entomopathogenic nematode Oscheius myriophilus (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in the Italian outbreak area of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

What is it about?

The manuscript concerns on the molecular characterization of several strains of Oscheius myriophilus, along with the EPNs Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae, associated with Popillia japonica in North Italy. The infectivity of the different strains of O. myriophilus, native H. bacteriophora and S. carpocapsae, was evaluated during heat stress and desiccation condition. Furtermore, the virulence of the native strains associated with Popillia japonica was also compared to commercial strains in order to delucidate the behavior of the different nematode strains tested in presence of host insects and environmental conditions.

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