Guidelines for Introducing Beneficial Insect-parasitic Nematodes into the United States

Guidelines are suggested to implement the introduction of beneficial insect-parasitic nematodes into the United States from abroad. These suggestions result from experiences and research with these and other biological control agents and from the current need for procedures to import nematodes. Subjects considered are need to import, foreign exploration, taxonomy, shipment, quarantine facilities, permits, host range tests, release, and documentation. Nematodes covered under these suggested guidelines include entomopathogenic species of mermithids, sphaerulariids, aphelenchids, steinernematids, and heterorhabditids. Host specificity and safety tests are discussed. Concern over the possible concomitant introduction of plant-parasitic nematodes, insects, or other pests is expressed. Current information on the treatment of insect-parasitic nematodes by the Environmental Protection Agency and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is presented. These suggested guidelines are presented to stimulate the development of workable protocols for safe introduction of beneficial insect-parasitic nematodes into the United States from aboard.