Formulation of entomopathogenic nematode-infected cadavers

Entomopathogenic nematodes are commercially applied in aqueous suspension. These biocontrol agents may also be applied in nematode-infected insect cad avers, but this approach may entail problems in storage and ease of handlin g. We determined the feasibility of formulating nematode-infected insect ca davers to overcome these hindrances. All experiments were conducted with He terorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar and Galleria mellonella (L.). Nonformula ted cadavers were used as controls. Of 19 formulations tested (including co mbinations of starches, flours, clays, etc.) I (starch-clay combination) wa s found to adhere to the cadaver and to have no significant deleterious eff ects on nematode reproduction and infectivity; other formulations exhibited poor adhesion or reduced nematode reproduction. Two formulations enabled c adavers to be partially desiccated without affecting reproduction; other fo rmulations and nonformulated cadavers exhibited reduced reproduction upon d esiccation. Four-day-old cadavers were more amenable to desiccation than 8- day-old cadavers. Formulated cadavers were more resistant to rupturing and sticking together during agitation than nonformulated cadavers. (C) 2001 Ac ademic Press.