STATUS OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES RESEARCHES IN IRAN

ABSTRACT Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are excellent candidates for biological control of insect pests. Attributes making the nematodes as ideal biological include their broad host range, high virulence, safety for nontarget organisms and high efficacy in favourable habitat. Identification and characterization of EPNs in Iran was started since 2000. Several species of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis were isolated. Species from Steinernema are Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema glaseri, Steinernema monticolum and Steinernema bicornutum. From Heterorhabditis genus, only Heterorhabditis bacteriophora has been identified so far. Based on few studies, phylogenetic position of native EPNs species/isolates was investigated. In addition to EPNs, their symbiotic bacteria are identified and characterizied. In laboratory, infectivity of several isolates of EPNs assayed against different soil inhabiting pests. This accompanied by field evaluation of few numbers. Many indigenous EPNs were used in laboratory and field trials to evaluate their potential in control some economically important insect pests of crop, fruit and forest trees. Those insect hosts were Polyphylla olivieri (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) and Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera :Pyralidae). Increasing information about EPNs potential will provide suitable biopesticides for using pest management programs.