The Steinernematidae are a family of

nematode The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Species in the phylum inhabit a broad range of environments. Most species are free-living, feeding on microorganisms, but many are parasitic. Parasitic worms (h ...

s in the order

Rhabditida Rhabditida is an order of free-living, parasitic and microbivorous nematodes living in soil. The Cephalobidae, Panagrolaimidae, Steinernematidae, and Strongyloididae seem to be closer to the Tylenchia, regardless of whether these are merg ...

. Nematodes of the genus ''

Steinernema ''Steinernema'' is a genus of nematodes in the family of Steinernematidae. The genus ''Steinernema'' is named after the nematologist Gotthold Steiner. Nematodes of this genus have been shown to be effective as a biological control for agricult ...

'' are obligate insect parasites that inhabit soil. ''Xenorhabdus'' bacteria occupy nematode insecticide and synergistically kill, digest, and consume insect hosts. Together with '' Heterorhabditis'', ''

Caenorhabditis ''Caenorhabditis'' is a genus of nematodes which live in bacteria-rich environments like compost piles, decaying dead animals and rotting fruit. The name comes from Greek: caeno- ( () = new, recent); rhabditis = rod-like ( () = rod, wand). The ...

'', '' Rhabditis'', '' Pelodera'', '' Strongyloides'', '' Bursilla'', '' Cruznema'', and '' Panagrellus'', ''Sterinernema'' belongs to the order Rhabditida.

References

{{Authority control Rhabditida Nematode families