Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
Roundworm
Habitat
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is a small parasitic nematode that is widely used in the control of soil-dwelling insects. It has been used for pest control in citrus groves, strawberry plantations, cranberry bogs, and on ornamentals and turf. Some of the insects it's been used to effectively control are Asparagus beetles, Bagworms, Banana weevils, Citrus root weevils, Potato beetles, Cucumber beetles, Fleas, Japanese beetles and June beetles. It is the only control available for hunting Billbug on golf courses in Japan and against the Black vine weevil and Cranberry girdler in cranberry bogs in North America. It is found widely throughout North and South American, Australia, and Europe.
Biology
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora's life cycle consists of an egg, four juvenile stages and the adult. The third-stage juvenile is the only free-living form and is the form that attacks and infects insects. All the other stages exist only inside the insect host. The infective third-stage juveniles move through the soil in search of a host. This stage is adapted to go without feeding for a prolonged time and is similar to the dauer stage larva of Caenorhabditis worms.
When a host is encountered the nematode enters the host through natural openings or uses a dorsal tooth, or hook, to break the insect cuticle, through which it then enters the host. Once inside the host insect, Heterorhabditis begins to develop and release a bacteria that lives in the its gut. These bacteria multiply in the insect and eventually kill the insect host. The bacterial and host remains are then eaten by the nematode. The nematodes develop into adults, which lay eggs that then hatch and release infective third-stage juveniles to search for other hosts to infect.
The bacteria found in the nematode's gut are only harmful to the insect body and not to the nematode when it feeds on the bacteria. The nematode benefits the bacteria because the bacteria are unable to survive in soil or water. The nematode benefits from the bacteria because it is unable to reproduce without the nutrients the bacteria provides when it digests the insect host.
Sequencing Plan
A sequencing plan has not yet been determined. The genome is currently undergoing small-scale sequencing to help define the sequencing plan.
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| John Spieth | The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine |
| Todd Ciche | Michigan State University |
| Parwinder Grewal | The Ohio State University |
Related Links
Sequence Data
Others
