Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families’ Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are obligate insect parasites. Their easy multiplication, broad host range, compatibility with chemical pesticides, and ease in application has grabbed interest among research practitioners to work on these beneficial microorganisms. Till date, around 100 valid species of Steinernema and 21 species of Heterorhabditis have been identified from different countries of the world. Extensive surveys have been conducted across the globe to isolate locally adapted EPN species and exploit them to suppress soil-dwelling and foliar insect pests in agricultural fields. Most of the new species have been described from Asia, whereas research in some Asian countries are still at infancy. Some new species have been recorded from Australia but very few surveys have been conducted in New Zealand. Likewise, less information about these tiny creatures is from Central America; however, in North America many new species have been described, some of which have been commercialized for insect pest control, whereas in South America, several native nematode species have been described and exploited as biological control agents. European countries have also been explored for EPN diversity and new species have been reported, exploited under field condition, and commercialized. Many new species and other previously described species have been reported from Africa. Despite frequent surveys in different continents of the world, number of sites touched are low and, therefore, further surveys are still needed to explore untouched geographic areas and climatic conditions, both in plantations and indigenous forests with an aim to identify and exploit additional EPN species.

中文翻译：

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昆虫致病性线虫，Steinernema和异种风疹的全球分布

该科的Steinernematidae和Heterorhabditidae中的昆虫病原线虫（EPN）是专性昆虫寄生虫。它们的易于繁殖，广泛的宿主范围，与化学农药的相容性以及易于使用吸引了研究从业人员研究这些有益微生物的兴趣。迄今为止，已从世界不同国家鉴定出大约100种有效的Steinernema物种和21种Heterorhabditis。在全球范围内已经进行了广泛的调查，以分离出适应当地的EPN物种，并利用它们来抑制农田中的土壤和叶面害虫。大多数新物种是从亚洲描述的，而一些亚洲国家的研究仍处于起步阶段。澳大利亚已经记录了一些新物种，但新西兰很少进行调查。同样，有关这些微小生物的信息较少来自中美洲。然而，在北美已经描述了许多新物种，其中一些已经商业化用于害虫防治，而在南美，已经描述了几种天然线虫物种并将其用作生物防治剂。还针对欧洲国家的EPN多样性进行了探索，并且已经报道了新物种，在野外条件下进行了开发并进行了商业化。非洲已经报告了许多新物种和其他先前描述的物种。尽管在世界各大洲进行了频繁的调查，但涉及的地点数量很少，因此，