On the practical level, factors aVecting post-application
survival in the soil and exposed foliage applications
are still poorly understood and deserve more research
(Shapiro-Ilan et al., 2002). Although many accomplishments
have been made in formulation technology and
mass production, the challenge will now be to maintain
the pace of innovation in a period of limited and very
competitive public and private funding. The key will be
to increase academic-industry partnerships, and try to
promote the use of biopesticides in developing countries
(Friedman, 1990; Georgis, 2002).
Finally, no matter what track we decide to take in the
research on these organisms, we should bear in mind
that insect-parasitic nematodes have many advantages
as model parasites. The knowledge gained from these
endeavors should assure that insect-parasitic nematodes
will become more eVective biopesticides and should
ensure that these nematodes, particularly EPN and their
symbionts, gain prominence as unique and intrinsically
interesting biological systems.