Tiny warriors: Harnessing the power of entomopathogenic nematodes in biological pest control

Abstract

The Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are soil inhabiting, delicate or soft bodied, non-segmented roundworms that are obligate or facultative parasites of insect pests. Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae are two EPN families that are widely spread in a variety of soil types. EPNs kill insect hosts due to mutualistic bacteria present in nematode gut. Infective juveniles (IJs) pierce the host and then enter the hemocoel, releasing symbiotic bacteria that proliferate and ultimately kill the host due to septicemia. Their ability to target a broad spectrum of insect pests with specificity, combined with their safety for non-target organisms and the environment, makes them an attractive alternative to chemical pesticides. The diverse application methods and formulations available for EPNs enhance their adaptability to various agricultural and horticultural ecosystem, allowing for their integration into sustainable pest management strategies. However, the effectiveness of EPNs is influenced by several factors, including environmental conditions, formulation, and application techniques.