INCIDENCE OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES IN SOIL SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SCOTLAND, ENGLAND AND WALES

Between May 1990 and October 1991, 414 soil samples were collected fro m sites in Scotland (221), England (154) and Wales (39) and were assay ed for entomopathogenic nematodes by baiting sub-samples with Galleria mellonella larvae at 10, 14 and 18 degrees C. Nematodes were detected in soil samples from 53 (12.8%) of the sampling sites, including 41 ( 18.6%) sites in Scotland, eleven (7.1%) in England, and one (2.6%) in Wales. Nematodes were isolated from 17 sites at 10 degrees, 13 sites a t 14 degrees C, and 23 sites at 18 degrees C. A total of six species w as distinguished: Steinernema affinis Bovien, S. feltiae Filipjev, S. kraussei Steiner, and three undescribed Steinernema species (designate d C, D, and E). Conclusions are drawn with respect to the high inciden ce of S kraussei in this survey (24 out of 53 isolates), and the possi ble adaptation of this species to parasitism of insects at low tempera tures. S. kraussei is considered to have potential as a biocontrol age nt for use in field crops in temperate climates.