Entomopathogenic Nematodes(Steinernematidae and Heterohabditidae) from Korea with a Key to Steinernema

한국산 곤충병원성 선충과 Steinernema 속의 검색표

A survey for entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted throughout the nine provinvrd and within three city limits during the summer of 1990 and 1991. Six of the nine provinces and one of the three cities were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes. Out of the total 499 soil samples, 23(4.6%) were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes with 19(3.8%) containing Steinernema and 4(0.8%) containing Heterorhabditis. Heterorhabditis bacteriopora and three distinct groups of Steinernema species were idintified. One groups was indentified as S. carpocapsae, another S. glaseri and the other S. monticola based on cross breeding studies. Positive sample sites in each habitat includes 15 of the 415(3.6%) from forests including regrowth areas with shrubs, 1 of the 27(3.7%) from turfgrass including golf courses and parks, 3 of the 24(12.5%) from agricultural fields, 2 of the 16(12.5%) along riparian areas, and of the 17(11.8%) near the seashore. We advocate that more surveys be conducted for entomopathogenic nematodes before commercial sources of nematodes are widely applied which may obscure the naturally-occurring nematodes. A key to Steinernema is provided for the identification.