Status of entomonematodes in Integrated Pest Management strategies in Argentina.

ACHINELLY MARÍA FERNANDA; SALAS AUGUSTO; ELICECHE DAIANA; CAMINO NORA; RUSCONI MATÍAS

BIOCONTROL AGENTS: Entomopathogenic & Slug parasitic nematodes

CABI

Año: 2017; p. 327 - 347

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are one of the highly influential biocontrol agents regulating the population dynamics of insect pests through association with their hosts in relationships ranging from fortuitous to parasitic. Knowledge of nematode community is useful to interpret the host?parasite relationships, and in many cases to illustrate coevolution phenomena and to determine those potential biocontrol agents against major pests of health and agricultural interest.Several studies have been performed in Argentina with the aim of isolating entomonematodes as biocontrol agents of pests of public health and agricultural importance. A great diversity of species has been reported as the result ofresearch carried out during the past 40 years.This chapter presents the results of research undertaken in Argentina and the current status of the potential use of entomonematodes as biologic control agents. Our main emphasis is inclined towards the two EPNs, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, and their status in integrated pest management (IPM) in Argentina. The information presented joins the most relevant bibliographic information from the personal experience of the authors and other specialistsin the country.