Several pairs of genital papillae including a pronounced preanal ventral papilla are located in the caudal region. Heterorhabditid males have slender spicules and a bursa supported by 9 ribs.
Genital papillae are absent.
Historical A number of species and isolates of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis have been cultured and tested as biological control agents for varioius insects. Hosts More than 200 species of insects from several orders. The only nematodes currently marketed as biological control agents. Life Cycle Requires 10-14 days. These nematodes differ from other rhabditids by having a mutualistic association with bacteria of the genus Xenorhabdus.