A laboratory investigation was conducted to study the survival of infective juveniles of a Kashmir isolate of entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (SKUASTK-EPN-Hr 01) in sand and soil. The results on the survival of entomopathogenic nematode, H. bacteriophora in sand and soil showed that in sterilized soil and sterilized sand, 79.32 to 93.07% and 88.89 to 100% mortality of G. mellonella larvae was recorded from 60 to 120 days after inoculation (DAI), respectively. Similarly in unsterilized soil, 96 to 100% mortality of G. mellonella larvae was recorded from 75 to 120 DAI while in unsterilized sand 100% mortality of G. mellonella larvae was recorded from 60 to 120 DAI. At 120 DAI, the mean per cent mortality of G. mellonella larvae recorded due to entomopathogenic nematode infective juveniles was 95.32, 98.44, 99.29 and 100% in sterilized soil, sterilized sand, unsterilized soil and unsterilized sand, respectively, revealing that the nematode survival was not affected drastically in sand and soil even at the end of 120 days of storage under laboratory conditions.  

Key Words: Entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Sand, Soil, Survival