Expanding Biological Control Spectra of Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Tick Pests
Expanding Biological Control Spectra of Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Tick Pests
Mahfouz M.M. Abd-Elgawad
ABSTRACT
The entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) products are developing to control crop pests. Yet, their commercialization is limited to few niche markets. Meanwhile, mounting concern over chemical acaricides - because of environmental pollution, human safety, and developing tick resistance to acaricides has promoted EPNs as their replacements. Such replacements will widen EPN uptake and further stimulate the organic product market. Safe/effective management via EPNs has become more evident as ticks developed resistance to nearly all classes of acaricides. No insects have developed resistance to insecticidal nematodes. Although EPNs do not use their natural reproductive cycle within tick cadavers, their usage bodes well to control key tick species. Their applications will avoid not only ticks-direct damages but also many tick-borne diseases. These latter can even inflict humans which constitute a substantial public health concern worldwide. Fortunately, the basics/experience assembled in using EPNs against other arthropods can assist in developing tick biocontrol methods. As EPNs naturally live in/on the soil, where 95% of tick populations infesting livestock are found, EPNs are favorable biocontrol agents of ticks in infested grasslands/pastures. Moreover, sophisticated techniques can optimize their efficacy against ticks on the infected animal skins. They use “smart sprayer” to remotely manage ticks on animals, a sprayable gel to protect the nematodes on cowhides from ultraviolet radiation/desiccation, or applying proper oil emulsion of EPNs to prolong their efficacy. Other discussed features to improve EPN efficacy against ticks engage EPN delivery/persistence, priming them/their bioactive materials, and introducing additional devices to reform their biocontrol potential.
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