Male insect-parasitic nematodes: a colonizing sex

An adaptive strategy enhancing reproductive success is described for parasitic nematodes. Male infective juveniles of insect-parasitic nematodes,Steinernema spp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) are dispersers, and take greater risks than females during the host-finding phase of parasitism. They disperse, locate, and establish in distant live hosts before females. Parasitism by male infective juveniles renders the infected hosts suitable for nematode development, and more attractive to female infective juveniles. Such recruitment may be a strategy to protect the nematodes against uncertainties of mate finding, thereby enhancing reproductive success.