Damage to the host cadaver, simulating the effects of scavenging, differentially affects fitness of entomopathogenic nematode species

Insect cadavers infected by entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are defended against scavengers by chemical mechanisms and other means. Despite these defences, the cadaver may be bitten before being rejected. In this study, we investigated the effect of damage to the cadaver cuticle on the fitness of nematodes (Heterorhabditis downesi Stock, Griffin & Burnell or Steinernema feltiae Filipjev) developing inside. We first quantified the severity of scavenger damage to EPN-infected Galleria mellonella Linnaeus cadavers in the field, and separately, with crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer) in the laboratory. In both field and laboratory, EPN-infected cadavers suffered less damage than freeze-killed controls, and damage consisted mainly of small lesions to the cuticle. In further experiments, scavenging damage was simulated shortly after death of infected cadavers by piercing the cuticle 0, 1, 3 or 5 times and incubating in moist (100% relative humidity (RH)) or dry (60–70% RH) conditions. The greater the level of damage, the greater the loss of moisture from the cadaver (estimated by weight loss), and this was exacerbated in dry conditions. The number of infective juveniles (IJs) emerging from H. downesi-infected cadavers was significantly reduced by damage, especially in dry conditions. In addition, emerging IJs were progressively smaller with increasing damage. For this species, the number of IJs was negatively correlated with moisture loss, indicating that the reduction in fitness was mediated by desiccation. For S. feltiae, damage impacted IJ number to a lesser extent and size was not affected. The reduction in numbers was not explained by moisture loss, indicating that for S. feltiae, some factor other than desiccation (perhaps competition with opportunistic microbes) impacts the nematodes when the cuticle is damaged. The greater vulnerability of H. downesi, compared to S. feltiae, to scavenger damage to the host cadaver may be due to its longer developmental time in the host resulting in longer exposure to damaging conditions. In conclusion, damage simulating biting by scavengers impacts the fitness of EPN, with the effect depending on nematode species, environmental conditions and the extent of damage. These findings have implications for the success of field application of EPN in infected cadavers.