A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes of the families
\nSteinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nematoda:
\nRhabditida) in the north-west of Iran

During 2002-2004, a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted for the first time in Iran throughout the three \nprovinces in the north-west of the country. Soil samples were tested for the presence of steinernematid and heterorhabditid nematodes \nby baiting with Galleria mellonella larvae. Of the 833 soil samples studied 27 were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes (3.2%), \nwith 17 (2.0%) containing Heterorhabditis and ten (1.2%) Steinernema isolates. Morphological and molecular studies were carried out \nto characterise isolates. The Heterorhabditis isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema as Steinernema \ncarpocapsae, S. bicornutum and S. feltiae. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was the most common species, which was isolated from 17 \nsites across the three provinces. Steinernema feltiae was the most common species of Steinernema, which was isolated from eight sites \nbut in only two provinces. Steinernema carpocapsae and S. bicornutum were each isolated from only one site. Steinernema spp. were \nisolated mainly from orchards and grasslands but Heterorhabditis was isolated mainly from grasslands and alfalfa fields.