Steinernema feltiae- Xenorhabdus bovienii: more information on this bactohelminthic complex from Iran

Two families of entomopathogenic nematodes (epns), steinernematidae and heterorhabditidae, symbiotically associated with xenorhabdus and photorhabdus bacteria, are effective biological control agents of insect pests. native isolates are likely to be better candidates for insect pest control than exotic specimens due to their adaptation to native environmental conditions. in this study, steinernema feltiae isolate fum221, was recovered from soil samples collected from the ardabil province, iran. morphological and morphometric investigations of the first and second-generation adults, infective juveniles, and molecular characterizations were conducted based on its and 18s rdna genes. molecular analysis based on the 16s rrna region and phenetic data revealed xenorhabdus bovienii as this isolate symbiont bacterium. the scanning electron microscopy (sem) verified the identification of this isolate. the molecular characterization using two loci and phylogenetic analyses provided more evidence on the classification of this steinernematid and its distinction from same species from other countries. moreover, molecular and phenetic characterizations of its symbiotic bacterium indicated minor variations compared to other isolates. herein, the comprehensive taxonomic data of this steinernematid and its symbiont bacterium, is presented.