Natural Occurrence of Insect Pathogenic Nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in Soil in Australia

In a number of surveys using baiting techniques, entomogenous nematodes of the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae were detected in all states and territories of Australia. At least 4 Heterorhabditis species (3 previously unknown), 6 Steinernema species (4 previously unknown) and one species of an undescribed genus of Steinernematidae were found. In Tasmania, where collections were made over 10 years, the nematodes were detected more commonly in winter‐spring than in summer‐autumn; there was no significant difference in their occurrence in forest from that in grassland.