20.500.12556/RUL-180920 Review of the potential use of Oscheius nematodes in biological control Nematodes in the genus Oscheius (Rhabditidae) have traditionally been regarded as free-living bacteriophagous or necromenic associates of insects. Over the past two decades, however, multiple Oscheius species and isolates have been shown to express facultative pathogenicity toward insects and, in some cases, parasitism of mollusks. This has stimulated interest in Oscheius as a complementary group of biological control agents that may function under conditions limiting classical entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. Here, we synthesize current knowledge on Oscheius taxonomy and diversity, life-history strategies, bacterial associations and virulence mechanisms, evidence for control of insect and mollusk pests, and recent advances in chemo-ecology relevant to host finding. We emphasize that Oscheius represents a continuum of ecological strategies, and we adopt conservative terminology in which “entomopathogenic” is reserved for Oscheius species/isolates that meet operational criteria of insect pathogenicity. Finally, we highlight key barriers to wider implementation—strain variability, bacterial partner instability, non-target and community effects, and production/quality control needs—and propose research priorities for the development of robust, field-reliable Oscheius-based biocontrol. Oscheius Rhabditidae facultative entomopathogenicity necromeny bacterial associates intraguild competition volatile organic compounds slug biocontrol integrated pest management biotično varstvo rastlin entomopatogene ogorčice biotično zatiranje polži true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2026-03-19 13:07:54 2026-03-19 13:08:01 2026-03-22 04:11:08 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 11 str. iss. 6, [art. no.] 646 Vol. 16 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 632 2073-4395 272283139 agronomy-16-00646.pdf agronomy-16-00646.pdf 1 4AEAF1A76868C5DD2FFAA5A08DAB5ABF 92f967cd53015b776f8297f937365a875b2c62fc6bd6234efffb99b52cd74bff 96506447-238c-11f1-b0ab-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=230896 https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/16/6/646 1 31896067-238c-11f1-b0ab-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=230895 Biotehniška fakulteta 0 0 0