Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are used in biological control of insect pests. A theory for successful cryopreservation of nematodes has been discovered. Survival of infective juveniles (IJs) after storage in liquid nitrogen not only relies on the concentration of glycerol solution (a cryoprotectant), but is also correlated to the concentration of IJs in the solution before and after storage. Following this theory, with a relatively high IJ concentration, we observed 100% survival of Steinernema carpocapsae IJs, and retained 100% of the original virulence against Galleria mellonella larvae after preservation. This is the first report of 100% EPN survival after preservation in liquid nitrogen. The theory may have universal usage in guiding cryopreservation of other organisms, tissues, organs and cells.
Species 1: Rhabditida Heterorhabditidae Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
Species 2: Rhabditida Steinernematidae Steinernema carpocapsae
Keywords: entomopathogenic nematode, cryopreservation
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