nematodes
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: nematodes
- From: B* S* <B*@hsc.edu>
- Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 10:46:55 -0700 (MST)
The following website may be of interest to those considering beneficial
nematodes (apologies if it has already been posted):
http://129.93.226.138/nematode/WORMHOME.HTM
It's at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Another useful site is
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/
I searched the latter site for any references to biological control of iris
borers and came up empty.
The lack of reserach on iris borer control is clearly related to its low
economic impact. I suspect if the borer were to suddenly appear in Oregon
and California, where the largest commercial iris nurseries are located, a
research program would be started in those states.
While many gardeners report apparent success using nematodes for pest
control of various insects, ranging from cutworms to corn earworms, and
controlled research supports these claims, we have only anecdotal evidence
for help with iris borers. Still it seems to me that it would be worth
trying in cases of real infestations. If one finds just the occasional
borer, the costs would outweigh the benefits.
Because of the low mobility of the adult moths, iris growers that do not
have other iris gardens within a quarter mile can probably solve their own
problems with mechanical controls and occasional pesticide applications,
though the latter should be minimized.
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
