Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are serious pests that affect fruit production and marketing. Both third instar larvae and pupae are biological stages that persist in the soil until adult emergence. Entomopathogenic nematodes (ENs) are biological control agents that are used to control agricultural pests in greenhouse or field conditions. Several studies have been carried out under laboratory and field conditions showing how ENs can be applied within an area-wide integrated pest management approach to control fruit fly species in orchards and backyard fruit trees. In this review, we analyze how soil physical characteristics and biotic factors affect the performance of these biological control agents. Of the reviewed papers, more than half evaluated the influence of soil texture, humidity, temperature, and other factors on the performance of infective juveniles (IJs). Abiotic factors that significantly influence the performance of IJs are temperature, humidity, and texture. Among the biotic factors that affect IJs are fungi, bacteria, mites, insects, and earthworms. We conclude that ENs have the potential to be applied in the drip area of fruit trees that are infested by fruit flies and contribute to their suppression. This approach, in conjunction with an area-wide pest management approach, may contribute to pest suppression and increase the sustainability of agroecosystems.
Keywords: biological control agent; entomopathogenic nematodes; fruit flies; sustainable approach.