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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #374092
Research Project: New Tools for Managing Key Pests of Pecan and Peach

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Advances in the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biopesticides in suppressing crop insect pests

Author
item KOPPENHOFER, ALBRECHT - Rutgers University
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item HILTPOLD, IVAN - University Of Delaware

Submitted to: Biopesticides for Sustainable Agriculture
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2020
Publication Date: 5/8/2020
Citation: Koppenhofer, A.M., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hiltpold, I. 2020. Advances in the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biopesticides in suppressing crop insect pests. Biopesticides for Sustainable Agriculture. (10)1-38. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0073.10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0073.10

Interpretive Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes also called “beneficial nematodes” are potent natural control agents that have been commercialized widely for control of economically important insect pests. These nematodes only kill insects and are safe to humans and the environment. The nematodes kill arthropods with the aid of bacterial symbionts. Efficacy of the nematodes relies on both abiotic and biotic influences. Efficacy can be increased by through strain improvement and stabilization, as well as enhancing production, formulation and application technology; or through environmental manipulation. As technology to improve efficacy advances, entomopathogenic nematodes will continue to play a larger role in IPM across various cropping systems.

Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes that fall into the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema are important biological control agents that have been commercialized extensively for control of economically important insect pests. These nematodes kill arthropods with the assistance of bacterial symbionts (steinernematids are associated with Xenorhabdus spp. bacteria and heterorhabditids are associated with Photorhabdus spp. bacteria). Efficacy of the nematodes relies on both abiotic and biotic factors. Efficacy can be increased by through strain improvement and stabilization, as well as enhancing production, formulation and application technology; or through environmental manipulation. As technology to improve biocontrol moves forward, entomopathogenic nematodes will continue to play a larger role in IPM across various cropping systems.