A review of the mermithid parasites (Nematoda:Mermithidae) described from North American mosquitoes (Diptera:Culicidae) with descriptions of three new species

Current status of nematodes for the biological control of insects

This review highlights published research on the principal entomogenous nematodes that have potential as biological control agents of insects. The life-cycles and status of promising members of the families Allantonematidae, Diplogasteridae, Heterorhabditidae, Mermithidae, Neotylenchidae, Rhabditidae, Sphaerulariidae, Steinernematidae and Tetradonematidae are discussed. Emphasis is placed on attempts to control insect populations with these nematodes. Mass propagation of the Steinernematidae and Mermithidae are also discussed, including current in vivo and in vitro rearing systems. A number of these nematodes show promise as biological control agents but commercial development has been slow because of environmental limitations, host specificity and inherent problems associated with manipulation of living organisms. Although some of these nematodes have been considered for commercial preparation, it appears that they will remain ‘on the shelf’ until the need for such biological control provides small businesses with the incentive to make them available for general use.