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Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are organisms that are often mass-produced as biological control agents (BCAs) to mitigate pesticide-related hazards and foster environmental sustainability. Enhancing our understanding of EPNs biology and their interactions with hosts is crucial for refining the use of EPNs in integrated pest management. This stud...
Background
This overview explores the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), fungi (EPFs), bacteria (EPBs), and viruses (EPVs) as biological control strategies against the red palm weevil (RPW) ( Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ), a significant pest of date palms in Saudi Arabia. Laboratory and field studies have evaluated the efficacy of these pathog...
Background
The bollworm complex consisting of Helicoverpa armigera and Earias vittella is a major threat in cotton production globally. The habit of developing resistance to many insecticides including Bt transgenic cotton necessitates the exploration of an alternate strategy to manage bollworms. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) Steinernema car...
Citations
... Its host detection efficiency increases at shorter distances, allowing for rapid host localization and aggregation (Kaur and Brown, 2023). However, its ability to actively search for and track hosts is inferior to that of S. glaseri (Sarwar and Mukhtar, 2021). Compared to roaming EPNs, S. carpocapsae exhibits slower movement, a more limited search area, and reduced foraging efficiency (Lewis et al., 1992;Wilson et al., 2012). ...
Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest in corn production, and its management remains a significant challenge. Current control methods , which rely heavily on synthetic chemical pesticides, are environmentally detrimental and unsustainable, necessitating the development of eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigates the potential of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae as a biological control agent for O. furnacalis pupae, focusing on its infection efficacy and the factors influencing its performance. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments to evaluate the effects of distance, pupal developmental stage, soil depth, and light conditions on nematode attraction, pupal mortality and sublethal impacts on pupal longevity and oviposition. Results demonstrated that S. carpocapsae exhibited the highest attraction to pupae at a 3 cm distance, with infection declining significantly at greater distances. Younger pupae (<12 h old), were more attractive to nematodes than older pupae, and female pupae were preferred over males. Nematode infection was highest on the head and thorax of pupae, with a significant reduction in infection observed after 24 h. Infection caused 100% mortality in pupae within 2 cm soil depth, though efficacy was reduced under light conditions. Sublethal effects included a significant reduction in the longevity of infected adults and a decrease in the number of eggs laid by infected females compared to controls. These findings underscore the potential of S. car-pocapsae as an effective biocontrol agent for sustainable pest management in corn production, offering a viable alternative to chemical pesticides.
... Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can be efficiently deployed using a range of horticultural equipment, such as pressurized sprayers, mist blowers, and electrostatic sprayers. It is generally recommended to utilize largediameter nozzles (orifices) and apply high volumes, potentially reaching up to 400 gallons per acre [44] . To ensure effective application, it is vital to maintain proper agitation, as nematodes tend to settle quickly in the spray suspension. ...
... To facilitate application, the nematodes should be diluted in water for soil drenching or injected directly into plants. Standard spray equipment can be utilized since nematodes usually withstand the pressures encountered in various sprayers [44] . Commercial formulations of EPNs include aqueous suspensions, sponges, alginate capsules, dispersible granules, and clay-based products. ...
... The quality of nematodes produced through in vitro solid culture is comparable to that of those produced in vivo. High-quality nematodes can also be produced via liquid culture, given that the medium and environmental conditions within the bioreactor are optimized [44] . ...
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) represent a promising group of biological control agents that offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides in managing insect pests. These nematodes exploit a unique symbiotic relationship with pathogenic bacteria, which not only enhances their virulence but also facilitates efficient insect host utilization. Their application methods encompass a range of horticultural equipment and formulation strategies, optimizing their deployment in agricultural settings. Factors such as environmental conditions, interactions with competing biotic entities, and host specificity significantly influence EPN effectiveness and persistence. Despite their potential, widespread adoption of EPNs is hampered by several challenges, including high production costs, limited shelf life, and sensitivity to adverse environmental factors. Innovations in formulation— such as water-dispersible granules and encapsulated nematodes—aim to improve storage and efficacy. Genetic advancements are also critical; enhancing the longevity of infective juveniles, increasing symbiotic bacteria retention, and developing resilience against environmental stressors can substantially elevate the performance of EPNs in pest management. Comprehensive genomic studies of EPNs may unveil the genetic determinants associated with beneficial traits, leading to the discovery of novel strains adept at thriving under diverse climatic conditions. Ultimately, enhancing the practical application of EPNs in integrated pest management strategies could significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural practices, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides while fostering ecological balance. The holistic understanding of EPN biology and their ecological interactions will facilitate their integration into effective pest control programs.
... [22] The bacteria and nematodes work well together against insect pathogens since they are safe for plants, animals, and human beings. [23] Previous studies have already reported the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in termite management. [24][25][26][27] This necessitates the development of quality formulations of EPNs to effectively and sustainably utilize their biocontrol potential in developing termite management programs. ...
... Several species of EPNs of the genus Steinernema are commercially available for the biological control of soil insect crop pests in organic farming (Sarwar and Mukhtar, 2021). In this agricultural system, applying commercially available EPN products based on native species is a strategy to support the non-dependence on chemical products to control insect pests (Ferreira et al., 2016). ...
... The infective juvenile (IJ) is the only free-living stage of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), which occupy soil habitats and develop their life cycle by infecting a new insect host (Ehlers, 2001;Goodrich-Blair et al., 2009). Several species of EPNs are commercially available for the biological control of soil insect crop pests in organic farming (Sarwar & Mukhtar, 2021). The application of commercially available EPN products based on native species is a strategy to eliminate the use of synthetic insecticides on organic crops (Ferreira et al., 2016). ...
The use of native entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents is a strategy to decrease the environmental impact of insecticides and achieve sustainable agriculture crops. In this study, the effect of the surface culture of Steinernema sp. JAP1 over two solid media at 23–27°C on infective juvenile (IJ) production and pathogenicity against Galleria mellonella larvae were investigated. First, the bacterial lawn on the surface of the media with egg yolk (P2) or chicken liver (Cl) were incubated in darkness at 30°C for 48 and 72 h, and 100 surface-sterilized IJs were added. Four harvests were conducted within the next 35 days and the mean accumulated production was superior on Cl (210 × 10 ³ IJs) than on P2 (135 × 10 ³ IJs), but the productivity decreased up to 10% when the incubation time of the bacterial lawn was of 72 h. The mean pathogenicity of in vitro - and in vivo -produced IJs were of 47–64% and 31%, respectively. It is worth noting that none of the two solid media had a statistically significant difference in IJ pathogenicity. Considering that the maximum multiplication factor of IJs on solid media was 2108 and that the pathogenicity against G. mellonella was outstanding, Steinernema sp. has a good potential for in vitro mass production.
Agricultural production faces significant challenges due to the loss of crop yields, highlighting the need for improvements in pest management methods to enhance productivity. Crop growers are increasingly pressured to minimize the use of chemical pesticides without compromising yields. However, managing pests has become more challenging due to pesticide resistance and limited product availability. Consequently, there is an urgent requirement for alternative approaches. Entomopathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes emerge as promising alternatives to broad-spectrum chemical insecticides. They have been widely employed to control insect pests in cultivated crops, employing successful strategies such as augmentation and classical biological control. These methods involve applying or introducing bacteria, baculoviruses, fungi, and nematodes. Utilizing entomopathogens offers numerous benefits beyond their effectiveness. These advantages encompass the capacity to treat expansive areas with a sole application, ensuring safety for both humans and non-target organisms. Additionally, their use leads to decreased pesticide residues in food, the conservation of natural enemies, and a boost in biodiversity within managed ecosystems. Entomopathogens present a viable solution by offering effective pest control while addressing environmental, human health, and ecosystem sustainability concerns. The primary emphasis of this review is on the present condition of bio-formulations, the pathogenicity associated with entomopathogens, their mode of action, and the possible implementation of diverse microbial formulations aimed at achieving sustainable pest management.
