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N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei

Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico with a Nematode and Parasitic Wasp N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei Scapteriscus didactylus, the “West Indian mole cricket” or “changa,” probably arrived in the West Indies by flying from South America hundreds of years ago

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N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei

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  1. Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico with a Nematode and Parasitic Wasp N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei

  2. Scapteriscus didactylus, the “West Indian mole cricket” or “changa,” probably arrived in the West Indies by flying from South America hundreds of years ago

  3. Scapteriscus abbreviatus, the “short-winged mole cricket,” occurs in Puerto Rico and a few other islands, and probably arrived in ship ballast~ this species cannot fly and is only a minor problem

  4. Damage to sweet peppers in the Dominican Republic caused by the “West Indian mole cricket”

  5. In Grenada, vegetable seedlings are attacked by the same mole cricket

  6. Damage to a Florida golf course by the South American mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus J.P. Parkman-UF,IFAS

  7. Mole cricket damage and chemical pesticides for control cost an estimated 100 million dollars in the Southeastern US annually Chemicals are too expensive for use on pasture land Mole crickets rebound in most treated areas Concern about non-target effects of chemicals Chemical Control www.pesticidereform.org

  8. A two pronged approach Parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci Parasitic Wasp- Larra bicolor Biological Control Alternative

  9. Parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci K. Nguyen - UF,IFAS

  10. Steinernematid Life Cycle penetration free-livingnematodes exit the cadaver and are temporarily free-living juveniles develop in the host body produce eggs sexualmaturation

  11. Flask containing nematodeson diet-soaked sponge

  12. Application of nematodes to pasture land

  13. Mole Cricket State Program Objective: To conduct research/demonstration projects that will widely distribute the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, in Florida; determine its establishment, rate of spread and impact on Scapteriscus spp. mole crickets, and support its commercialization

  14. Nematac S 80 billion nematodes 32 counties Education & training Nematode diagnostics Nematode survey Refined methods Establish & Spread Nematode applications

  15. Mole Cricket Nematode in Florida • 6 months- 80% mole crickets infected • 1 year- infected mole crickets spread nematodes across the pasture • 3 years- • 85% decline in mole crickets • 40-95% recovery of bahiagrass • 20-35% infected mole crickets

  16. Biological Control of Mole Crickets inFlorida by the Nematode

  17. Mole Cricket Nematode Project In Puerto Rico Apply Nematac S in appropriate habitats Survey for entomopathogenic nematodes Adapt release and evaluation methods Demonstrate establishment and spread Determine the impact on pest mole crickets

  18. Mole cricket escaping from soap solution in its gallery at a golf course in Puerto Rico

  19. A turf farm in Puerto Rico with “changas”

  20. A palm grove next to a 3-acre peanut field in Puerto Rico

  21. A 1-acre organic farm in Puerto Rico

  22. Mole cricket pitfall trap at a golf course in Puerto Rico

  23. Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Puerto Rico by the Nematode • Scapteriscus didactylus, was trapped at the golf course and organic garden • Scapteriscusabbreviatus was also discovered at the organic garden • Mole crickets captured at the golf course contained Steinernema scapterisci • Steinernema scapterisci became established at the golf course and killed S. didactylus • Mole crickets from the organic garden were not infected

  24. Parasitic Wasp- Larra bicolor Lyle Buss- UF, IFAS

  25. Larra bicolor on Spermacoce verticillata Lyle Buss- UF, IFAS

  26. Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Florida & Puerto Rico by the Wasp • Parasitism of Scapteriscus vicinus 24% near Gainesville, Florida • Wasp in 22 Florida counties by natural spread and releases • Larra bicolor feeds at nectaries of 4 plants plus Spermacoce verticillata • Spermacoce verticillata plots provided near mole cricket infestations • Cooperators watch for wasps feeding on the flowers • Wasp may function additively with the nematode

  27. Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico • Established the nematode and wasp • Determined that they are effective • Provided economical mole cricket control We have shown that biological control offers long-term, cost effective mole cricket management

  28. Leppla, Frank & Adjei Any Questions? http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu

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