Response of Energy Reserves in Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Drought-Stress and Expression Analysis of Energy Metabolism-Related Genes in Arid Areas.

ABSTRACT: The free-living infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are critical biological control agents against insect pests. The field efficacy of EPNs is largely determined by their tolerance to low-humidity stress, a trait closely linked to the mobilization of their energy reserves. This study aims to investigate how varying levels of humidity stress influence energy reserve dynamics in two EPNs, Steinernema kraussei 0657L and Heterorhabditis brevicaudis 0641TY, and their relationship with the survival rate and pathogenicity. The results demonstrated that lipids were the predominant energy reserve, followed by proteins and sugars. Notably, neutral lipid constituted approximately 3% of the total lipid content. Among sugars, soluble sugar levels were the highest, fol

SUBMITTER: Wu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841759 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature