Research Information System
Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi (Online), vol.39, no.2, pp.471-480, 2025 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Recent studies have advanced our understanding of how intraspecific and interspecific pheromones influence the host-seeking behaviour of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), a crucial component of biological pest control. EPNs rely on some chemical cues in the soil environment, including ascaroside, CO2 emissions, and organic compounds, to locate and infect their hosts. EPNs exhibit species-specific foraging strategies, with ambushers such as Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) remaining stationary while cruisers like Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) actively search for potential hosts. Pheromonal communication enhances group movement, aggregation, and infection efficiency. Some studies indicate that pheromone-exposed EPNs demonstrate improved dispersal and pathogenicity, with implications for enhancing their biocontrol potential. However, learned and innate preferences in host selection further refine their efficacy. Researches suggest that pheromone-based treatments could optimize EPN applications by increasing host-targeting precision and reducing environmental variability. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for improving EPN-based pest management strategies. Future research should explore the integration of pheromones in mass-release programs, assess the impact of interspecific interactions, and evaluate how environmental factors such as pesticides influence pheromone efficacy. These findings highlight the potential of pheromone-mediated behavioral adaptations to enhance sustainable and efficient biological control methods in agriculture.