Review of the potential use of Oscheius nematodes in biological control

Kralj, Karolina (avtor), Laznik, Žiga (avtor)

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.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: Oscheius, Rhabditidae, facultative entomopathogenicity, necromeny, bacterial associates, intraguild competition, volatile organic compounds, slug biocontrol, integrated pest management
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.02 - Pregledni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: BF - Biotehniška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 11 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 16, iss. 6, [art. no.] 646
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-180920
• UDK: 632
• ISSN pri članku: 2073-4395
• COBISS.SI-ID: 272283139
• Datum objave v RUL: 19.03.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Agronomy
• Založnik: MDPI
• ISSN: 2073-4395
• COBISS.SI-ID: 522953241

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: biotično varstvo rastlin, entomopatogene ogorčice, biotično zatiranje, polži