Entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) are soil-dwelling insect parasitic round worms used in augmentative biological control to manage western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and fungus gnats Bradysis spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae) in greenhouses. Reducing production costs is one way of increasing their adoption by growers. Black soldier fly larvae Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) are evaluated as a potential nematode rearing host. They are not highly susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes; however, damaging the cuticle before and after infection increases mortality rate, infection rate, nematode entry, and nematode emergence. Even with modification, black soldier fly larvae produce only 10% of the nematodes produced on the standard rearing host Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The soil-dwelling predatory rove beetle Dalotia coriaria (Kraatz) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) is also used to manage populations of western flower thrips and fungus gnats. Its compatibility with entomopathogenic nematodes is evaluated in a laboratory bioassay. Dalotia coriaria appears to be most compatible with Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae).
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