Entomopathogenic rhabditid nematodes and pest control

Imagine an insecticide that is effective against insects in cryptic habitats, has a wide spectrum of efficacy, is cheaply produced by high technology or cottage industry and hence is suitable for developing and developed countries, is non-toxic to vertebrates and plants, and persists at low levels in natural habitats. This is not a dream. These properties apply to a group of entomopathogenic nematodes belonging to the rhabditid families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae. Bill Hominick reviews developments in the use of these nematodes for the control of insect pests. His article represents a departure in philosophy for parasitologists, in that entomophilic nematologists are devoted to increasing, rather than decreasing the number of nematodes in the environment.