Norway: Participants in COST Action 850
Solveig Haukeland |
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Entomopathogenic nematodes is Solveigs main research area, however she has also been active in studying the bud & leaf nematodes of strawberry and the pine wood nematode. Her work has demonstrated the wide occurrence and the high damaging potential of Aphelenchoides blastophthorus on strawberry. A condition that seems rather unique to Norway.
Her present studies concern epns (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) and nematodes parasitic in slugs.
Steinernema spp. and to a lesser extent Heterorhabditis have been isolated from many parts of the country as far north as between 69 o and 70o north (Steinernema sp.). Epns are currently being studied as biological control agents of three important pests, black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) in strawberries, large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) in forestry and the cabbage root flies (Delia floralis and D. radicum) in vegetables. The main emphasis is getting the nematodes to work effectively at low temperatures. The potential for using epns on other pests such as the strawberry blossom weevil, the raspberry beetle and the codling moth are also of interest.
The occurrence of Phasmarhabditis, a well known nematode parasite of slugs, has recently been isolated for the first time in the country from the invasive slug Arion lusitanicus. This slug is a serious pest not only for private gardens but also for commercial growers of for example strawberry. Studies on “Nemaslug” P. hermaphrodita and Norwegian isolates of P. hermaphrodita are currently being conducted for their effect as biological control agents against different stages of Arion lusitanicus.
Solveig is interested in collaboration with other researchers working on similar themes and is happy to host student internships.
