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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #385788
Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Production of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Author
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item GARRIGOS LEITE, LUIS - Instituto Biologicio - Brazil
item HAN, RICHOU - Guangdong Institute Of Applied Biological Resources

Submitted to: Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2021
Publication Date: 9/26/2022
Citation: Shapiro-Ilan, Garrigos Leite, L., Han, R. 2023. Production of entomopathogenic nematodes. In: Morales-Ramos, J., Rojas, G., and Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., editors. Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens. 2nd Edition. Amsterdam: Academic Press. p. 293-316.

Interpretive Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes, also known as beneficial nematodes, are small round worms that are used as safe natural biopesticides. This chapter reviews and analyzes the methods used to mass produce these beneficial nematodes. The nematodes can be grown in vivo, by infecting insects and then harvesting the emerging progeny nematodes, or in vitro, i.e., in artificial media under sterile conditions. There are advantages and disadvantages to each method of mass production. It is important to use nematode strains that are well-suited to mass production and are effective at killing pest insects. In needed, there are genetic and non-genetic approaches to improve the nematode strains for efficacy. In future research, mass production methods can be improved through enhanced automation and improved media for in vitro production. Improving mass production will lower costs and increase biocontrol efficiency; thus, beneficial nematodes could be used on a wider basis in various agricultural commodities.

Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes in the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema are obligate parasites of insects in nature. The pathogenicity of these nematodes is facilitated by symbiotic bacteria that are carried in the nematode’s gut prior to entering an insect host. More than a dozen entomopathogenic nematode species have been commercialized for use in biological pest suppression. The objective of this chapter is to review and analyze production methodology for entomopathogenic nematodes. Entomopathogenic nematodes are mass produced using three different methods: in vivo production, in vitro culture in solid media, and in vitro culture in liquid media; each method has advantages and disadvantages. For example, in vivo production requires the least capital outlay but is lacking in economy of scale due to costs of labor and insects. In vitro liquid culture (which accounts for the bulk of commercial production) requires the largest capital outlay but generally offers the greatest economic efficiency. In vitro solid culture is intermediate between the other two methods in most aspects. A number of advancements can be made to improve production efficiency and biocontrol potential. In vivo culture can be streamlined by producing insects in-house, and mechanizing the entire process to reduce labor. In vitro liquid culture can be improved through media optimization and maximizing bioreactor processing. All of the production approaches will benefit from advanced strain improvement programs, and mechanisms to stabilize beneficial traits (such as utilization of selected inbred lines). As production efficiency improves the utility of entomopathogenic nematodes in biological control will expand.