Genetic diversity and comparative analysis of gene expression between Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Az29 and Az36 isolates: Uncovering candidate genes involved in insect pathogenicity

► Low genetic diversity between axenic H. bacteriophora Az29 and Az36. ► Symbiotic bacteria contribute more to different virulence and soil survival time between Az29 and Az36 complex. ► Five genes were identified to be putative virulence factors involved in nematode-insect interactions.