Life cycle of beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes. A. Infective-stage nematodes are applied to soil. B. The nematodes seek a host and enter it. C. The host is killed by nematodes and mutualistic bacteria. D. Nematodes feed, mature, and reproduce in the host, but first-generation Heterorhabditis are hermaphrodites. E. Subsequent generations of Heterorhabditis and all generations of Steinernema produce both males and females. F. Females produce infective-stage juvenile nematodes. G. Infective nematodes exit the dead host and seek new hosts. The entire life cycle from infection of the host to release of the new infective generation takes 7 to 14 days. Credit: Adapted from: Kaya H. K. 1993. Contemporary issues in biological control with entomopathogenic nematodes. Taipei City Taiwan: Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Extension Bulletin 375.
