Research progress of nematodes as biological control of molluscs
Since the discovery of Phasmarhabditis nematodes in 1990 for the biological control of mollusks,over 30 years of research have been conducted.Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita has emerged as the sole commer-cially utilized mollusk biocide,marketed under the trade name Nemaslug®,and has been used for biological con-trol in Europe for three decades.Despite its success in Europe,the application of nematodes in mollusk control remains unexplored in China.This paper aims to address this research gap by reviewing the detrimental impacts of mollusks,common control methods employed,and the significance of nematodes in mollusk control.The review encompasses various aspects,including the discovery process of nematodes,the mechanism by which they eradi-cate mollusks,and their efficacy in controlling mollusk populations.Furthermore,the study delves into existing challenges associated with nematode application,such as the adaptability and stability of nematodes,as well as their integration with other biological control methods.By shedding light on these crucial aspects,this study serves as a valuable reference for the application of nematodes in mollusk biological control and offers insights into enhancing the effectiveness of nematodes in mollusk management.