The effect of chemical insecticides on the scavenging performance of Steinernema carpocapsae: Direct effects and exposure to insects killed by chemical insecticides

•Insecticides have no significant effect on the survival and virulence of the infective juveniles.•Steinernema carpocapsae IJs were not repulsed by pesticides in insect cadavers when scavenging.•More IJs invaded cypermethrin and Spinosad-killed host than diflubenzuron-killed and freeze-killed control.•The fitness of scavenging IJs is not diminished by insecticides in insect cadavers.•In some cases, the exposure to chemical insecticides may enhance virulence of scavenging nematodes.