Abi Nader, Elise Noujeim National Council for Scientific Research, Lebanon , El Hayek, Patrick National Council for Scientific Research - Remote Sensing Center, Lebanon , Nemer, Nabil Saint Jospeh University - ESIAM-ESIA - École Supérieure des Ingénieurs d Agronomie Méditerranéenne, Lebanon , Darwich, Talal National Council for Scientific Research - Remote Sensing Center, Lebanon , Thaler, Olivier INRA - Université Montpellier 2 - Laboratoire d Écologie Microbienne des Insectes et Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, France , Khater, Carla National Council for Scientific Research - Remote Sensing Centre, Lebanon

HABITAT CHARACTERIZATION OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES IN NORTH LEBANON

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Entomopathogenic nematodes are soil organisms, adapted to most climatic conditions in hot, temperate, and cold zones, distributed from lowlands to high alpine altitudes (Steiner, 1996). During a previous survey of entomopathogenic nematodes-EPNs in Lebanon (Noujeim Abi Nader et al., in review), 3 out of 19 sites were estimated positive in EPNs. The reasons for the presence of EPNs in some sites in Lebanon rather than others, are still not well established. Even less is known about the correlation between EPNs distribution in land and soil texture, soil pH, insect hosts, and vegetation cover. In the current study, assessment of habitat preference of EPNs is conducted in a positive site previously sampled for EPNs occurrence. The relationship between EPNs, entomofauna, vegetation cover and soil characteristics is determined using a gridded method and baiting with Galleria mellonella tubes introduced in situ into soil. The method used allows precision sampling with minimal soil disturbance. Results showed a correlation between EPNs and some soil characteristics (humidity, organic matter, texture, porosity) and also communities of invertebrates. No significant linkages were demonstrated between the presence of EPNs and the vegetation nor with the soil pH or any specific entomofauna order.

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habitat , soils , entomopathogenic nematode , invertebrate fauna , Steinernema , Heterorhabditis , herbaceous zones , wooden zones

Lebanese Science Journal

37