Climate-dependent biological control: linking entomopathogenic nematode performance to seasonal suitability under climate change

This dataset supports the manuscript “Climate-dependent biological control: linking entomopathogenic nematode performance to seasonal suitability under climate change.” It contains experimental and modelled data examining how temperature and soil moisture influence the performance of four entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species used as biological control agents against the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in South Africa.Laboratory bioassays evaluated EPN penetration, mortality, and developmental responses across temperature and soil moisture gradients. The experimental data were analysed using appropriate statistical models to quantify species-specific responses to environmental conditions. Species-specific models were subsequently used to generate spatial predictions of EPN infectivity under seasonal environmental conditions.The dataset includes the underlying experimental observations, R analysis scripts, climate and soil-moisture spatial data, model outputs, and spatial suitability projections generated for summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Temperature projections were based on the ACCESS-CM2 global climate model under the CMIP6 SSP5-8.5 scenario for 2021–2040, while seasonal soil-moisture data were derived from NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Level 4 products.The data and accompanying scripts are provided to support transparency, reproducibility, and independent re-analysis of the associated research. The dataset provides the basis for assessing species-specific environmental responses and identifying when and where EPN biological control may remain suitable under current and projected climatic conditions in South Africa.Detailed information on the data structure, variable definitions, analytical workflow, and file contents is provided in the accompanying README.txt file.