INOCULATIVE RELEASE OF STEINERNEMA-SCAPTERISCI (RHABDITIDA, STEINERNEMATIDAE) TO SUPPRESS PEST MOLE CRICKETS (ORTHOPTERA, GRYLLOTALPIDAE) ON GOLF-COURSES

Single inoculative applications of Steinernema scapterisci were made o n golf courses in north central (Alachua County) and southeastern (Bro ward County) Florida. Nematode-infected Scapteriscus spp. mole cricket s were collected from eight of nine treated plots and from five of six treated plots in Alachua and Broward counties, respectively. However, infected individuals were collected with regularity from only two cou rses in Alachua County where level of infection was greatest during th e spring (March-June). Weekly infection levels for weeks 1-12 after tr eatment ranged from 0-100%. Infection of Scapteriscus spp. adults from treated plots in Alachua County, 25.2%, was significantly greater tha n that for nymphs, 1.2%; and infection of Scapteriscus borellii, 25.0% , was significantly greater than that of S. vicinus, 11.0%. Nematode-i nfected mole crickets were collected from four control plots in Alachu a County and from one in Broward County during the 2nd yr after treatm ent. Significantly fewer mole crickets were collected in 24-h trap cat ches the 2nd yr after treatment on all treated plots combined and cont rol plots combined in both counties. Mean trap catch was reduced 68, 6 2, and 41% the 2nd yr on treated plots where the nematode persisted; o n control plots where infected crickets were collected; and on control plots where the nematode was not detected, respectively. Damage ratin gs and number of mole crickets soap-flushed from treated plots were si gnificantly reduced the 2nd yr after treatment. Results indicate S. sc apterisci can serve as an inoculative biological control agent for Sca pteriscus spp. mole crickets on golf courses and as a biopesticide for relatively rapid suppression of pest populations.