What are Biocontrol Nematodes?

Biocontrol Nematodes are a naturally occurring generalist soil predator which attacks and kills root feeding soil insects.  They reproduce in these soil insects and the offspring emerge in search of other soil insect hosts.  Research has shown that beneficial soil insects are not affected by biocontrol nematodes.  While present in many agricultural fields since before the initial tillage by pioneers, native strains are present in very low numbers and are not well adapted to attack insect pests of agriculture like corn rootworm.  Biocontrol nematodes only attack soil insects and do not feed on plant roots.

What is the benefit of Biocontrol Nematodes?

The benefit of Biocontrol Nematodes in your field is multifaceted, depending on crops grown and the crop rotation utilized.  A few examples are listed below:

• Corn Rootworm:  Across the country, rootworm traits are failing and yields are falling due to rootworm developing resistance to the Bt-RW toxin.  The addition of Biocontrol Nematodes, which attack the resistant rootworm, provide a level of yield recovery ranging from 5 bu/ac to 15+ bu/ac depending on the rootworm damage.  In fields where the RW trait is still minimizing damage, the addition of Biocontrol Nematodes targets the Bt toxin survivors and extends the life of the Bt-RW trait.

• Wireworm: Wireworms are a multi-year pest across a number of crops.  They damage crops by attacking seedlings and reducing stands (missing plants).  The addition of Biocontrol Nematodes to your field reduces the wireworm population significantly and reduces stand losses from this insect.

• Native White Grubs:  Field research has shown that many of the species of native white grubs are very susceptible to attack and death by Biocontrol Nematodes.  Native white grubs usually have multi-year lifecycles.  Invasive white grubs like Japanese Beetle are more resistant to biocontrol nematode attack and are the most susceptible in the early larvae stages present in the field in the late summer and fall.

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Do Biocontrol Nematodes persist across rotation and fallow periods?

Persistent Biocontrol™ Nematodes persist across rotation and fallow periods using a genetic based strategy called “phased infectivity”.  This survival mechanism evolved over millions of years to help biocontrol nematodes survive non-host periods.  This genetic trait is easily lost in mass rearing and is absent in the commercial strains of biocontrol nematodes available in the market place.