From soil to bioagents: Entomopathogenic nematodes as key players in integrated pest management strategies

Anna Garriga Oliveras

The management of insect pests is an increasing concern amid climate change and the push for more sustainable agriculture. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are used as biological control agents against various pests, providing an alternative to reduce pesticide use in agricultural pest control. EPNs are obligate insect parasites that live in symbiosis with bacteria, which aid in the infection process. These nematodes inhabit the soil in both cultivated and wild landscapes, serving as a natural resource to control invasive insects. Consequently, EPNs are frequently evaluated for their infective potential and effectiveness against new pests. This evaluation considers insect susceptibility, field applicability, and potential integration with other control methods or biological agents. In this talk, we will explore these aspects through comparative research on two significant pests: Popillia japonica, a beetle studied for over 50 years, and Drosophila suzukii, a fruit fly that arrived in Europe less than a decade ago.