In order to develop solid mass cultivation technology that maximizes insecticide of entomopathogenic nematode(EPN) isolated from Korea, we have studied the optimization of solid culture medium and production conditions. The optimized conditions from the harvest yields and the insecticidal activity against the Galleria mellonella larvae were yeast extract 2.0%, soybean flour 20%, whole milk powder 3%, olive oil 5% and egg yolk 5%. It was also found that the optimum condition of the carrier(polyurethane) content was about 8-12%, the culture time of symbiotic bacteria was about 48 hours, and the inoculation concentration of nematode was 4,000-5,000 per g medium. And the optimal harvesting point in solid culture conditions was confirmed after 12 days of inoculation.

A nematode, which showed entomopathogenicity, was isolated from Exomala orientalis in Korea, and then identified as Rhabditis blumi. Pathogenicity of R. blumi was evaluated against major cruciferous insect pests, including Artogeia rapae, Mamestra brassicae, and Plutella xylostella. In Petri-dish tests, insect mortality was dose and time dependent, which increased with dose (0–80 dauer juveniles/larva) and time increments. In greenhouse tests, P. xylostella larvae were most susceptible to nematodes, with insect reduction rate of 88.0 %. The rate varied with vegetable species and persistence time of live nematodes on vegetable leaves after spraying. The aeration rate was an important parameter for cultivation of the nematode R. blumi. A sufficient DOT level in the culture using an air-lift bioreactor should be maintained. The nematode growth rate increased with an increasing DOT level and/or bacteria uptake rate. The maximum nematode yield of 1.75 x 105 per ml was obtained under an aeration rate of 6 vvm.