Table 1 Life cycle events in the nematode-bacteria symbiosis
Stage | Nematode life cycle | Bacteria life cycle |
|---|---|---|
I | IJ free living in soil, searches for insect host, finds the host, and enters into it. | Retention of bacteria in the gut of nematode. |
II (early) | Recovery in the hemocoel. | Release of bacteria into insect hemolymph; virulence factors resulting in mortality of insect host. |
II (late) | Nematode reproduction. | Bacteria in stationary phase; production of antibiotics, exo-enzymes, crystal proteins; bioconversion of insect. |
III | New IJs development | Bacteria colonize in the intestine of IJs. |