This research was conducted in laboratory of Nematology in the Center of Scientific
Agricultural Research in Lattakia, to detection of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) in
Citrus Orchards soils in Lattakia governorate.
A total of 66 composite soil
samples were collected from Citrus orchards during (2016-
2017). Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) were recovered from soil samples by the
insect baiting technique, using seventh instar larvae of the Greater wax moth Galleria
mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Infective juveniles (IJs) were collected from G.
mellonella cadavers using the method of White (1927).
EPN isolates were identified based on morphometric methods. Eight isolates were
identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar 1976 (Ord. Rhabditida: Fam.
Heterorhabditidae) .
Positive soil samples ratio was 12.12% of total samples, where EPNs isolates were
extracted from regions (Al-Bassa, Al-Magreet, Al-Shamia, Gio, Al-Kharnoba, Al-Sorsokia,
Fideo, Borj Al-Qasab)0 The soil textures of the EPNs positive samples were (sandy loam,
silt loam, loamy sand, loamy clay sand, clay) with ( pH 6.34- :0.5) and (1.99- 4.82) g\100g
organic content. The electrical conductivity of the nematode positive soils varied from 0.33
to 0.82 ds/m.
