author(s)
Amit U Paschapur, K Vijaya Lakshmi, BS Sunanda and Vinod Pawar

abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes are soft bodied, non-segmented roundworms that are lethal parasites of insects. They are widely distributed throughout the world and have a wide range of insect hosts. Introduction of exotic EPNs may induce exclusion of the local populations and/or species, thus eroding natural diversity. Keeping this in view soil survey was conducted in four districts of Telangana state for isolation of native EPN species. The results indicated that, out of 90 soil samples, 17 soil samples showed the infestation of G. mellonella with EPNs. The infected cadavers turned to brick red colour indicating the existence of Heterorhabditis sp. in the 17 soil samples collected from Sugarcane fields. The per cent occurrence of EPNs obtained from four districts of Telangana state revealed that, maximum occurrence of EPNs was observed in Kamareddy (33.33%), while, lowest prevalence of EPNs (5.55%) was recorded in Nizamabad district. Sangareddy district which recorded 23.33% EPNs occupied the second place, followed by Khammam with 16.67% soil samples tested positive for the presence of EPNs.