Chapter 6
Nematode Behavior
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) use foraging strategies to find their suitable insect hosts. They
respond to insect or plant host-associated volatile and chemical cues including CO 2 through chemosensation. They depend on chemical signals in their surroundings to locate food sources, suitable hosts, and
reproductive partners. The intensity of the nematode’s behavior towards chemical stimuli in its natural
environment is greatly dependent on the diffusion rate of the chemical compound and on the structural
heterogeneity of soil. Foraging strategies such as ambush, standing, jumping, cruise, crawling behavior and
intermediate strategies may differ from species to species. Foraging assays are carried out to study the
nematode behavior.
Keywords Foraging strategies, Chemosensation, Ambushers, Cruisers, Foraging assays
1 Host-Seeking Behavior
l
Host-finding behavior of entomopathogenic nematodes helps
to identify which species can be used in the biological pest
management programs.
l
EPNs use foraging strategies to find their insect hosts.
l
They respond to host-associated volatile cues and chemical cues
including CO 2 through chemosensation.
l
Chemosensation is a means of sensory function which the nematodes use to direct themselves toward their insect hosts.
l
They depend on chemical signals in their environment to locate
food sources, suitable hosts, harmful compounds, reproductive
partners, and sometimes, allow them to choose between alternative developmental stages [126].
l
The intensity of the nematode’s behavior toward chemical stimuli in its natural environment is greatly dependent on the
diffusion rate of the chemical compound and on the structural
heterogeneity of soil [127].
l
When a foraging nematode is presented with a range of signals
arising from similar general region, the behavior can rely on the
S. Sivaramakrishnan and M. Razia, Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria, Springer Protocols Handbooks,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1445-7_6,
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
27
Nematode Behavior
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) use foraging strategies to find their suitable insect hosts. They
respond to insect or plant host-associated volatile and chemical cues including CO 2 through chemosensation. They depend on chemical signals in their surroundings to locate food sources, suitable hosts, and
reproductive partners. The intensity of the nematode’s behavior towards chemical stimuli in its natural
environment is greatly dependent on the diffusion rate of the chemical compound and on the structural
heterogeneity of soil. Foraging strategies such as ambush, standing, jumping, cruise, crawling behavior and
intermediate strategies may differ from species to species. Foraging assays are carried out to study the
nematode behavior.
Keywords Foraging strategies, Chemosensation, Ambushers, Cruisers, Foraging assays
1 Host-Seeking Behavior
l
Host-finding behavior of entomopathogenic nematodes helps
to identify which species can be used in the biological pest
management programs.
l
EPNs use foraging strategies to find their insect hosts.
l
They respond to host-associated volatile cues and chemical cues
including CO 2 through chemosensation.
l
Chemosensation is a means of sensory function which the nematodes use to direct themselves toward their insect hosts.
l
They depend on chemical signals in their environment to locate
food sources, suitable hosts, harmful compounds, reproductive
partners, and sometimes, allow them to choose between alternative developmental stages [126].
l
The intensity of the nematode’s behavior toward chemical stimuli in its natural environment is greatly dependent on the
diffusion rate of the chemical compound and on the structural
heterogeneity of soil [127].
l
When a foraging nematode is presented with a range of signals
arising from similar general region, the behavior can rely on the
S. Sivaramakrishnan and M. Razia, Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria, Springer Protocols Handbooks,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1445-7_6,
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
27