Occurrence, isolation, and identification to genus level of entomopathogenic nematodes (epns) in Central Panay Island, Philippines

Soil samples were isolated entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from Central Panay Island, Philippines found to be positive for EPNs. However, no presence of EPNs was recorded in some sampling areas such as the Bingawan rice farm and fallow area; Tapaz, Capiz fallow area, and Lambunao, Iloilo residential area. The highest and lowest frequency occurrences were obtained from the municipalities of Calinog and Bingawan in Iloilo with a 100% and 50% recovery rate, respectively. There was a correlation between the vegetation types and the occurrence of EPNs. Regardless of vegetation cover, EPNs were often found in moderately acidic (pH 5.56) to neutral (pH 7.23) soils. Thus, the occurrence of EPNs was influenced by the vegetation type and soil pH value. The color of Corcyra cephalonica or rice moth cadavers infected by the EPN was gray and minute black spots. A compound microscope revealed that bursa is presented in males and first-generation adults are hermaphroditic. The collected EPN isolates belong to the genus Heterorhabditis of the family Heterorhabtidae.