Nematodes as Biological Control Agents

This book documents and illustrates major developments in the use of nematodes for the biological control of insects and slugs. It covers the use of three main types of nematodes: entomopathogenic nematodes, entomophilic nematodes and slug-parasitic nematodes. The biology, commercial production, formulation and quality control, application technology, strategy and safety of each of these three nematode groups is discussed. The book also examines the application of nematodes in different cropping systems, and the efficacy of nematodes against specific pests. The potential of predatory nematodes to control plant-parasitic nematodes and mycophagous nematodes to control fungal pathogens is also reviewed.

David Shapiro-Ilan is a Supervisory Research Entomologist at USDA-ARS, Georgia, USA. Dr. Shapiro-Ilan's research focuses on invertebrate pathology/microbial control. Areas of interest emphasize the study of entomopathogenic nematodes and include biological control applications, production and formulation technology, and studies on nematode behavior (especially foraging dynamics). Dr. Shapiro-Ilan has published more than 240 peer-reviewed journal articles plus 27 book chapters and > 60 trade journal/extension articles; he has co-edited 5 books and is inventor on 8 patents. Selected awards include Fellow of the Society of Nematologists, Fellow of the Entomological Society of America, EEO/Civil Rights, Excellence in IPM (SEB-ESA, 2012), and > $23 million as PI/co-PI on competitive grants. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.