Since the discovery of the first entomopathogenic nematode in 1923, our understanding of their systematics and biogeography has advanced significantly. This review outlines the historical development of research on systematics of entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts, while presenting the current state of knowledge in these fields. Additionally, we evaluate the status of several recently described but dubious EPN species and provide an updated list of valid Heterorhabditis and Steinernema species. Finally, we summarize existing data on the geographical distribution of entomopathogenic nematode species and draw general conclusions about their biogeography.

Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa

Experimental Biology Research Group Institute of Biology Faculty of Sciences University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel 2000 Switzerland

Institute of Entomology Biology centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences CAS Branišovská 31 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic; Faculty of Agriculture and Technology University of South Bohemia Studentská 1668 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic

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