Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Effective Biocontrol Agent for Management of Fall Armyworm (FAW)

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a dreadful pest that attacks various economically important crops in India and many other countries all over the world. Larvae of FAW damage crop by feeding in the whorl or ears of the plant and they pupate in the soil. Chemical insecticides applications are the major recommended practices against this pest. Due to health and environmental concerns,other alternatives method of control is needed. Biological management is an approach to uphold pest population below threshold level. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis spp are obligate parasites of insects in agricultural crops and are recognized as an important biocontrol agent. Because of their symbiotic bacteria, they are responsible for killing the host usually within 24 to 48 h. Soil is the natural habitat of EPNs and most of the insect pest species spend at least part of their life cycle in soil. However, the efficacy of EPNs to control FAW is adversely affected by unfavourable biotic and abiotic conditions. Differences in virulence, application techniques, interactions among hosts and resource competitors as well as environmental conditions have been cited as possible reasons for variable field performance. Technical advances in application technology will provide opportunities for use of EPNs in FAW management programs. With new innovative methods, we can expand EPN applications in agro-ecosystems; fostering eco-friendly FAW management. This review paper provides an overview of development of EPN research and evaluation of their potential for use against FAW.