Includes bibliographical references and index.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are being used for the management of insect pests occurring in both agricultural and horticultural crops. Native EPNs tend to be more effective at managing insect pests compared to introduced EPN species because they are better adapted to local environmental conditions and the specific insect pests present. Therefore, in the present study, a survey was conducted to isolate EPNs at 2 districts viz., East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya during 2022-23. Out of 192 soil samples, EPNs were recovered from 2 soil samples. Morphological characters examination and ITS-rDNA region revealed that the EPN, Steinernema spp. is identified as Steinernema indicum CAU-SI-1. Phylogenetic analyses confirm that S. indicum belongs to the glaseri-group based on both ITS. Further we determined the survival ability of S. indicum CAU-SI-1 infective juveniles (IJs) by exposing them to various temperatures. Results showed that the percentage survival with the maximum exposure time (48 hrs) at 30°C but did not survive at 5°C and lethal at 40°C. When IJs used as inoculum source after exposing to various temperature levels, the percent penetration was reduced with increasing temperature and highest penetration was observed at 28°C and 30°C. Importantly, progeny production was conducted using Greater wax moth larvae exposed to different temperatures. Optimum temperature for reproduction was 25–32°C with maximum IJs produced at 30°C while lowest number of IJs was recovered at 37°C. The attachment rate of IJs in mobile host (Greater wax moth) was observed in the soil column experiments revealed that the isolate attached at the range of 3-5 IJs per 15 min. On desiccation, IJs of S. indicum CAU-SI-1 showed significant survivalability when exposed to different desiccating levels. IJs of S. indicum CAU-SI-1 was more tolerant when exposed at 97% RH than the rest with a percentage of survival higher than 80%. In the exposure 93% and at 85% RH revealed a gradual reduction of the survival was observed. Exposing IJs at 85% RH resulted in a drastic reduction in survival of S. indicum CAU-SI-1 causing 100% mortality at 72 hr time exposure.