Entomopathogenic nematodes from families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabdi - tidae and the molluscoparasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita are enigmatic soil creatures. These lethal pathogens of invertebrates can also be used as effective and safe biocontrol agents. In this article, we review the biology, ecology and distribution of these organisms and we de - pict their current use in biological control. and Jiří Nermuť, Vladimír Půža, Zdeněk Mráček.