ABSTRACT
Several species of nematodes are being developed as biological insect controls with a broad host range. Because of the soil-dwelling nature, nematodes are more suitable for managing soil pests or those that have soil-inhabiting life stages. Among the pests effectively controlled are most turf insects and several other insects that live in soil, especially living in the soil at one of their life cycle stage such as larva, pupa or adult are highly susceptible against entomopathogenic nematodes. Entomopathogenic Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are the families containing these nematodes. Steinernema species are effective against caterpillar larvae, sod webworms, cutworms, certain borers, and billbug larvae. Heterorhabditis species control black vine weevil, citrus-infesting root weevils and white grubs. Once inside, the nematodes release the bacteria, which quickly multiply and kill the host. In turn, the nematode uses the bacteria and insect cadaver for food and shelter, maturing, mating and reproducing inside the host. Infective-stage juvenile nematodes eventually emerge from the cadaver and seek out another host.
