Abstract
Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the biochemical energy reserves of 6 species of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinemematidae) were conducted. Lipid, glycogen, and protein contents of 2 species of Heterorhabditis (H. bacteriophora and H. megidis) and 4 species of Steinernema (S. carpocapsae, S.feltiae, S. glaseri, and S. scapterisci) were determined. The quantitative measurement of energy reserves (32-38% lipids and 42-46% proteins) suggested that entomopathogenic nematodes are more similar to free-living nematodes than to parasitic ones in this respect. These results also elucidate relationships between activity levels and life span from an energetic perspective