Persistence of entomopathogenic nematodes applied by drip irrigation to control Vitacea polistiformis in ‘Cynthiana’ grape

The grape root borer Vitacea polistiformis is a pest of grape in Florida and the eastern U.S. Entomopathogenic nematodes can provide substantial biological control of the root feeding larvae, but their efficacy can be affected by application method. Our objective was to determine the persistence of 2 species of entomopathogenic nematodes applied by drip irrigation to control the GRB. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and H. megidis were applied to ‘Cynthiana’ grape in Sept 2009. Soil samples were screen for nematodes persisting into the next growing season. Further research is required to determine the cause of these trends and the applicability of these findings under different pH and field conditions.