Can biological control nematodes be used for many types of insects?
Not all species of biological control nematodes are equally effective at managing different species of insect pests. The ability of any biological control nematode to infect a particular insect can be affected by nematode and insect behavior, physical barriers, and immune responses. Different species of biological control nematodes find their insect hosts in different ways. Some biological control nematodes move actively through the soil in search of an insect. They are attracted to the insect by chemicals it releases. These nematodes can be called “cruisers” because they search out the host (Figure 5). Other species of biological control nematodes stay still and wait for the insect to move to them. These nematodes stand on their tails (nictate) (Figure 5). When the insect crawls by the nematode can “jump” onto it. Because these species lie in wait for their host, they can be called “ambushers.” Figure 5. “Cruiser” types of biological control nematodes are attracted by carbon dioxide r
