Abstract
The critical factors in making entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) successful biological control agents of crop insect pests are their production and application technology. EPNs can be mass produced in vivo (baiting technique on insects) and commercially in vitro (solid/liquid media) and utilized against a variety of crop insect pests of a soil-dwelling and above-ground nature, i.e. foliar, epigeal or cryptic habitats. While planning for the successful utilization of EPNs against target insect pests, some points need to be taken into consideration, which include the mass production of EPNs, their proper formulation with an aim to achieve a longer shelf life and the appropriate application technology, whether as soil application or injection/spraying. Besides, quality tests of nematodes under laboratory and field conditions and post-field transportation need to be assessed. This also includes the nematode's viability and virulence capability. This chapter focuses on two EPNs, namely Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, and on recent techniques in their mass production and formulation, as well as application, both in soil and on the foliage surface or cryptic habitats for the management of crop insect pests. Future prospects are also mentioned.