Greenhouse whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and the sweet potato whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) pose a significant threat to greenhouse and field vegetables. Beneficial nematodes like Steinernema feltiae are microscopic roundworms used for biological control of various insect pests including whiteflies.
Predatory mites, formally known as Stratiolaelaps scimitus (formerly Hypoaspis miles), are currently employed for the biological control of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.).
A new species of entomopathogenic nematode named Steinernema sandneri has been recently reported from Poland.
Beneficial predatory Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis miles) mites are considered as excellent biological agents to target and kill the soil-dwelling pupae of the western flower thrips that present in the soil.
Beneficial enetomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema riobrave nematodes have potential to be used as best biological control agents for controlling wireworms infesting wheat crops.
Beneficial entomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes are currently used as excellent biocontrol agents for the control of shore flies.
All the larval (maggots) stages of fungus gnats cause direct damage to many ornamental plants by chewing or stripping and tunneling on their healthy root and stem tissues.
When Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes are applied to the pasture fields, they will actively search for all the soil-dwelling larval and pupal stages of fall armyworms. After locating larva or pupa, nematodes will enter into their body cavity through the natural openings like anus, mouth and spiracles. In the body cavity, nematodes will release symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus nematophila) in the blood where bacteria will multiply quickly, cause septicemia and kill both larva and pupa within 48 hours of infection. Thus the killing of both larvae and pupae completely stops the emergence of next generation of adult fall armyworms.
Both the adults and larvae of Encarsia formosa can kill whiteflies by causing physical injuries and feeding internally on them. Briefly, adult wasps puncture the body of whitefly nymphs or pupae with their ovipositor and feed externally on the oozing blood (hemolymph) and the body content of the nymphs or pupae. Also, females of Encarsia formosa lay eggs using their ovipositor inside the body of adults and nymphs of whiteflies. After hatching from eggs, the wasp larvae will then start feeding internally on the body content of whitefly nymphs or pupae and eventually kill them.
Based on both the morphological and molecular characteristics, the entomopathogenic nematodes collected from different parts of the Mizoram were conspecific to Steinernema sangi.