Effects of the biological nematicide, DiTera®, on movement and sensory responses of second stage juveniles of Globodera rostochiensis, and stylet activity of G-rostochiensis and fourth stage juveniles of Ditylenchus dipsaci

DiTera(R) (Valent BioSciences Corp.), a novel biological nematicide obtained from fermentation with a hyphomycete fungus, adversely affected activity and movement through sand columns of second stage juveniles (J2) of Globodera rostochiensis. Electrophysiological tests demonstrated that exposure to 1% DiTera(R) prevented sensory perception of potato root diffusate. Electropharyngeograms of stylet protractor muscle activity showed that prior exposure of fourth stage juveniles of Ditylenchus dipsaci and J2 of G. rostochiensis to 1% DiTera(R) significantly reduced stylet thrusting when nematodes were transferred to artificial tap water or 10 mM serotonin, respectively. The modes of action and the control potential of this biological nematicide are discussed.