ABSTRACT
An important aspect of entomopathogenic nematology concerns identification of species and strains of the nematodes and their bacterial associates. The CSIRO laboratory in Canberra, Australia, which maintains a database of entomopathogenic nematode isolates, is one of the few sites meeting those requirements. As the powerful tools of DNA technology are applied to entomopathogenic nematodes, they will provide greater insight into the mechanisms of parasitism and speciation. Genetic improvement through selective breeding, as opposed to genetic engineering, is a possible means of increasing the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes. Studies on the natural occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes show that they are ubiquitous, with 25-50% of random soil samples proving positive. The empirical evidence for the role of entomopathogenic nematodes in affecting insect abundance will arise from carefully designed experiments based on long-term interactions without intervention. Entomopathogenic nematology has progressed from numerous field trials with limited success to the point where commercial production is not only possible, but also profitable.
