A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes (rhabditida) in the negev desert

The aim of the present survey was to isolate entomopathogenic rhabditids in an arid region. The survey was conducted in the Negev desert, located in the southern part of Israel. Soil samples were collected from 21 sites and the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes in the soil samples was determined by using Galleria mellonella larvae as bait. Entomopathogenic nematodes, identified as heterorhabditids, were isolated only from soil samples obtained from under the canopy of irrigated fruit trees, planted in sandy soils. The nematodes from the new isolated populations were subjected to low relative humidity (75%) for 3 days after preconditioning for 72 h at 97% RH. Under these conditions, fewer than 10% survived for 48 h.