Many different viruses have been shown in field trials to be capable of giving very satisfactory levels of control of their host insect.

When close, the female will flick the eggs into or near the nests of the host insects.

If the female is unable to flick her eggs near the nest she plants them on flowers visited by the host insects.

Not only do entomopathogenic nematodes affect their host insects, they can also change the species composition of the soil community.

Parasites typically lay their eggs on the host insect's body or its larvae.

Many species in both families use polydnaviruses to suppress the immune systems of their host insects.

It is spread by host insects, that thrive on heavy turf grasses.

Mature nematodes leave the depleted body of insect and search for new host insects.

In exchange, the bacteria provide essentials like vitamins and amino acids to the host insect.

The viruses also tend to break down relatively quickly into environmentally harmless remains when they are outside their host insect.