First report of the genus Heterorhabditis (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) from continental Portugal

Abstract

Until recently, the only entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species reported from continental Portugal, was of the genus Steinernema. Following a national survey of EPNs in continental Portugal, several natural and managed habitats have been surveyed in the southern part of the country. From 57 soil samples collected using the Galleria mellonella trapping method, three samples yielded EPN. Morphological characterization and sequence analysis of the ITS regions of ribosomal DNA allowed the identification of EPN isolates as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, representing the first report of this genus for continental Portugal.