ABSTRACT
Entomopathogenic nematodes in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae offer an alternative to chemical insecticides for a number of insect pests. They have been used against diverse pests, including those found in the soil, in cryptic habitats, on foliage, in manure, and in aquatic habitats. This chapter examines the efficacy data, supplemented with some of the older literature, on the use of entomopathogenic nematodes against insects occurring on or in foliar, cryptic, manure, and aquatic habitats. Field trials showed that a tolerable rate of damaged chrysanthemum cuttings could be obtained with a single application of nematodes applied as a foliar spray. Filth-breeding insects would appear to be good candidates for control with entomopathogenic nematodes. Entomopathogenic nematodes have been highly successful against a number of insect species in cryptic habitats, particularly plant borers. Less encouraging results have been obtained for control efforts on pests in foliar, aquatic, and manure habitats.
