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.
The xenortides (A-D) are a class of linear peptides isolated from the bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila, a symbiont of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. This class of compounds is known for their insect virulence and cytotoxic biological activities. The tryptamide containing compounds show higher biological activity than the phenylethylamides. The most biologically active compound was found to be xenortide B with a potency of less than 1.6 μM activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), however it is also the most toxic to mammalian cells which limits its viability as a treatment.
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 ishibashii is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema aciari collected in the Guangdong Province in China and in Japan.
Xenorhabdus khoisanae is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema khoisanae in the Western Cape Province in South Africa.
Xenorhabdus koppenhoeferi is a bacterium from the genus Xenorhabdus which has been isolated from the nematode Steinernema scarabaei in the United States.
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).
