Today, in the field of pest management the trend of Entomo-pathogenic nematodes (EPNs)
application is emerging globally. Research based literature supported that EPNs has prodigious
potential against different pest. EPNs are profound to be a target oriented bio-control assassinator
of insect pest. Many enigmatic and cryptic nature of insect cant resist against the assassination
of this bio control agent.
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Mostly, Nematodes are soil inhabitants. Their soil dwelling activity is deemed to be playing a
significant role in soil fertility and aeration. From soil, EPNs are brought to laboratory for mass
culturing. In labs wax moth, Galleria mellonella (a lepidoptern pest of bee hive) is used as host
for their mass culture. Within this group are the so-called entomopathogenic or insect pathogenic
nematodes. Two nematode families fall into this category: Steinernematidae and
Heterorhabditidae. The species belongs to these two families are lethal and obligate pathogen of
insects, thats why many important insect pests of crops, such as the citrus weevil, , fungus gnats,
flowers thrips, Field crickets and scarab beetles have successfully been controlled by these
EPNs.
To save crops from pest prevalence, we are applying agricultural pesticides unconsciously. As
the matter of fact, the massive use of insecticides results into serious havoc of environmental
contamination, presence of residual effects in food commodities, mass killing of non-target
organisms, resistance and resurgence of insect pest populations. Alarmingly, these consequences
are pathetic and dreadful. Now, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
has recommended the “Ecosystem Approach” in agricultural management, including IPM,
combining different management approaches to cultivate high quality crops and mitigate
pesticide use.
Therefore it is essential to introduce alternatives that should environmentally safe, host specific
and harmless to other biodiversity. Another alternative to the chemical control of pests is the use
of EPNs that works as competent pathogens (entomo -pathogenic nematodes). Nematodes have
no adverse effects for non-target organisms and environmentally safe, thats why it is become the
most preferable choice for insect pathologist. Moreover, insect pathologists are working to
explore its bio-efficacy and potency against various vermin. Different field and laboratory
experiments reveal that many EPNs species, for example Heterorhabditis bacteriophora have the
mutualistic association with other bio control agent like Beauveria bassiana.
EPNs have been declared as conservational, eco-friendly and augmentative microbial control
agents. EPNs are attaining preference among other entomo-pathogenic microbes due to
multidimensional attributes .i.e. peculiar mode of action, broad range of hosts and rapid
assassination of host. These are thought to be integral part of IPM program and sustainable
Agriculture. Due to its peculiar mode of action, pests are unable to resist its encounter and
become cadaver. The third juvenile stage of EPNs is considered to be the infective stage (IJs) or
Dauer Juvenile (DJ). The DJ ambush and enter in the host through orifice (mouth, anus or
spiracles) and develops into parasitic stage. Within the gut of the nematode gram-negative
bacteria are present and cause the mortality of the insect host.
Pakistan has experienced of ravaging episodes of pest borne diseases. Many dipterans,
lepidoterans and homopterns pests are responsible for pest borne diseases in humans, animals
and plants. These vector borne pests like mosquitoes, ticks, mites and flies are posing direct
threat to our survival on this planet. Many developed countries are strategically applying bio-
control agents to cope these notorious insect pests.
But regrettably we have sole reliance on insecticides for the annihilation of pest outbreak. As
mention above that the injudicious use of these chemicals perturbs our ecosystem. Furthermore,
it is observed insect pests are becoming resist to these chemicals. Although the biological control
management of pest has acknowledged EPNs since the 1980s, relatively little is understood
about their biology in natural and managed ecosystems. It is dire need of time to construct insect
pathological labs, where experts and scientist are provoked to explore the potential of EPNs
against these obnoxious pests.