Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are a group of nematodes, that cause death to insects. The term entomopathogenic has a Greek origin, with entomon, meaning insect, and pathogenic, which means causing disease. They are animals that occupy a bio control middle ground between microbial pathogens and predator/parasitoids. Although many other parasitic thread worms cause diseases in living organisms, entomopathogenic nematodes are specific in only infecting insects. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) live parasitically inside the infected insect host, and so they are termed as endoparasitic. They infect many different types of insects living in the soil like the larval forms of moths, butterflies, flies and beetles as well as adult forms of beetles, grasshoppers and crickets. EPNs have been found all over the world in a range of ecologically diverse habitats. They are highly diverse, complex and specialized. The most commonly studied entomopathogenic nematodes are those that can be used in the biological control of harmful insects, the members of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae. They are the only insect-parasitic nematodes possessing an optimal balance of biological control attributes.
Xenorhabdus is a genus of motile, gram-negative bacteria from the family of the Morganellaceae. All the species of the genus are only known to live in symbiosis with soil entomopathogenic nematodes from the genus Steinernema.
Xenorhabdus ehlersii is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema serratum in China.
Xenorhabdus beddingii is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode genus Steinernema in Australia and Queensland.
Xenorhabdus doucetiae is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema diaprepesi from Martinique in France.
Xenorhabdus budapestensis is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema bicornutum in Subotica in Serbia. Xenorhabdus budapestensis produces bicornutin A2.
Xenorhabdus cabanillasii is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema riobrave in Texas in the United States. Xenorhabdus cabanillasii produces the antifungal metabolite Cabanillasin.
Xenorhabdus griffiniae is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum in Indonesia.
Xenorhabdus indica is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematodes Steinernema thermophilum and Steinernema yirgalemense. Xenorhabdus indica produces the Taxlllaids A–G.
Xenorhabdus kozodoii is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema arenarium in Voronez in Russia and from the nematode Steinernema apuliae in Italy.
Xenorhabdus mauleonii is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from an undescribed Steinernema species.
Xenorhabdus romanii is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema puertoricense in Puerto Rico.
Xenorhabdus stockiae is a bacterium from the genus of Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema siamkayai in Thailand.
Xenorhabdus szentirmaii is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema rarum in Argentina. Xenorhabdus szentirmaii produces szentiamide, xenematide, bicornutin A xenofuranone A and xenofuranone B.
Xenorhabdus japonica is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema kushidai in Japan.
Xenorhabdus poinarii is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematodes Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema cubanum.
Steinernema carpocapsae is an entomopathogenic nematode and a member of the family Steinernematidae. It is a parasitic roundworm that has evolved an insect-killing symbiosis with bacteria, and kills its hosts within a few days of infection. This parasite releases its bacterial symbiont along with a variety of proteins into the host after infection, and together the bacteria and nematode overcome host immunity and kill the host quickly. As a consequence, S. carpocapsae has been widely adapted for use as a biological control agent in agriculture and pest control. S. carpocapsae is considered a generalist parasite and has been effectively used to control a variety of insects including: Webworms, cutworms, armyworms, girdlers, some weevils, and wood-borers. This species is an example of an "ambush" forager, standing on its tail in an upright position near the soil surface and attaching to passing hosts, even capable of jumping. As an ambush forager, S. carpocapsae is thought to be especially effective when applied against highly mobile surface-adapted insects. S. carpocapsae can sense carbon dioxide production, making the spiracles a key portal of entry into its insect hosts. It is most effective at temperatures ranging from 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
Steinernema xueshanense is a nematode species from the genus of Steinernema. Steinernema xueshanense is named after the Xue Shan mountains.
Steinernema hermaphroditum is a species of nematodes in the Steinernematidae family.
Necromeny is a symbiotic relationship where an animal infects a host and waits inside its body until its death, at which point it develops and completes its life-cycle on the cadaver, feeding on the decaying matter and the subsequent bacterial growth. As the necromenic animal benefits from the relationship while the host is unharmed, it is an example of commensalism.
