Chapter 12
Recent Advances and Future Prospect
Abstract
After the discovery of entomopathogenic nematodes, they have proven to be excellent biocontrol agents for
insect pests. Study is being performed in several parts of the world on entomopathogenic nematodes
Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. The future of
entomopathogenic nematodes as potential biopesticides is promising. Their success is bound with the
innovative ideas of incorporating EPN methodologies in different fields of study. Progressive advances in
analysis and study on EPN promote the extensive use of EPNs.
Keywords Genome sequence, Benzoxazinoid resistance, Cockchafer, Drosophila, Microgravity
1 Recent Advances
Research on entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus is being conducted in many parts of the world.
Recent advances in molecular phylogeny associated with the
increasing number of available genes and genome sequences have
reassessed the taxonomy of the symbiotic bacteria of entomopathogenic nematodes with elevation of many subspecies to the species
level and creation of new taxa [13].
Around 100 valid species of Steinernema and 21 species of
Heterorhabditis have been identified till date from different
countries of the world. Utilization of native EPN species would
serve as an alternative to chemical pesticides and fit well in
integrated pest management program [24].
EPN from Mexican maize fields are identified to overcome
western corn rootworm defence metabolites and gains insights
into the prevalence and relative importance of benzoxazinoid resistance in these EPN isolates [257].
H. indica, S. carpocapsae, and S. longicaudum are associated
with higher mortality, penetration rate, and reproduction rate and
effectively control Spodoptera litura, a polyphagous pest that is
seriously affecting various crops [258].
S. Sivaramakrishnan and M. Razia, Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria, Springer Protocols Handbooks,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1445-7_12,
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
159
Recent Advances and Future Prospect
Abstract
After the discovery of entomopathogenic nematodes, they have proven to be excellent biocontrol agents for
insect pests. Study is being performed in several parts of the world on entomopathogenic nematodes
Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. The future of
entomopathogenic nematodes as potential biopesticides is promising. Their success is bound with the
innovative ideas of incorporating EPN methodologies in different fields of study. Progressive advances in
analysis and study on EPN promote the extensive use of EPNs.
Keywords Genome sequence, Benzoxazinoid resistance, Cockchafer, Drosophila, Microgravity
1 Recent Advances
Research on entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus is being conducted in many parts of the world.
Recent advances in molecular phylogeny associated with the
increasing number of available genes and genome sequences have
reassessed the taxonomy of the symbiotic bacteria of entomopathogenic nematodes with elevation of many subspecies to the species
level and creation of new taxa [13].
Around 100 valid species of Steinernema and 21 species of
Heterorhabditis have been identified till date from different
countries of the world. Utilization of native EPN species would
serve as an alternative to chemical pesticides and fit well in
integrated pest management program [24].
EPN from Mexican maize fields are identified to overcome
western corn rootworm defence metabolites and gains insights
into the prevalence and relative importance of benzoxazinoid resistance in these EPN isolates [257].
H. indica, S. carpocapsae, and S. longicaudum are associated
with higher mortality, penetration rate, and reproduction rate and
effectively control Spodoptera litura, a polyphagous pest that is
seriously affecting various crops [258].
S. Sivaramakrishnan and M. Razia, Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria, Springer Protocols Handbooks,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1445-7_12,
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
159