Comparison of conidiation and trap formation between the WT and ΔAopex14/17 mutant strains. (A) Observation of conidiophores in the WT and mutant strains. (B) Comparison of conidia yields in the WT and mutant strains. (C) The relative transcription levels (RTLs) of the sporulation-related genes in the WT and ΔAopex14/17 mutant strains. (D) Trap formation and nematode predation at different time points. White arrows, traps. Scale bar, 100 μm. (E) Traps produced by the WT and ΔAopex14/17 mutant strains at 48 h postinduction. Scale bar, 10 μm. (F) The percentage of nematode mortality in the WT and mutant lines at different time points. CK is the negative control using the WA plate to assess the viability of the C. elegans in the absence of fungal strains (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001).