Re: CULT: "beneficial nematodes"


Those people interested in finding out more about beneficial nematodes might
be interested in visiting the webpage below

http://ianrwww.unl.edu/ianr/plntpath/nematode/wormepns.htm

        This should answer most of your questions. I think I mentioned
before when this topic came up that I thought it would be very unlikely that
foliar spaying would kill iris borers currently in fans, you must spray the
soil when the larvae are there, so timing is very important. A reputable
suppier should explain this. Also I would check with them what their
evidence is for their choice of nematode. Some of the advertising material
I've seen seems to make some very broard claims. I would also check (with a
microscope or magnifying glass) to see that they are alive before using them
(after adding then to water). They can be very sensitive to drying out and
heat stress.

        I'm sure the Califoria Ag department are fully aware of these
nematodes and see no problem with them but again a reputable supplier will
be aware of state regulations.
        I work in research on the use of these nematodes and I can assure
you that used correctly they can be very effective but like most biological
control it takes a bit more work than just tipping a chemical into the spay
can. The biology of the pest you are trying to kill in your area is vital.
        
        If anybody has any specific questions and can't get to the web page
I will try to help, we don't have Iris borer in Australia and nobody seems
to have published anything about using nematodes against it that I can find.
Relatively little is published these days due to commercial considerations.

Simone Clark 

The views expessed above are my own and not those of my employer. 
Simone Clark
Nematode Project
CSIRO Entomology

simoner@ento.csiro.au
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