Abstract
The infective, third stage juveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic rhabditid nematodes are relatively poor at surviving desiccation when compared, for example, with the survival/infective stages of many plant parasitic nematodes. Nevertheless, some species and strains of entomopathogenic nematodes are known to be much better at surviving desiccation than others and such observations may have important implications for the improved formulation, storage and application of such nematodes as biopesticides. The present paper reviews the potential role of the cuticle, neutral and phospholipids, and carbohydrates in the survival of IJs under anhydrobiotic conditions.
