Storage of entomopathogenic nematodes

PCT No. PCT/AU88/00127 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 5, 1990 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 5, 1990 PCT Filed May 5, 1988 PCT Pub. No. WO88/08668 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 17, 1988.To transport entomopathogenic nematodes, it is necessary to store them in a manner such that a significant proportion of them survive after being stored and are reactivated when dispersed in water. The present invention provides storage by mixing an aqueous cream of clean third stage infective juveniles (J3) of nematodes with clay. The clay may be in chip form, or calcined, milled and sieved, but comporises from about 33 percent (by weight) to 67 percent (by weight) of the homogeneous mixture. Alternatively a layer of the aqueous cream may be placed on a layer of clay, then covered with another layer of clay. In another variation of the invention, the nematode cream is spread on an absorbent substrate which is then placed on a layer of clay while the relative humidity is reduced to 60 percent, to dry the nematode cream. Preferred clays are attapulgite clays, diatomaceous clays and kieselguhr. The nematodes are preferably of the family Steinernematidae or Heterorhabditidae.