Development and Fecundity of Reesimermis nielseni, a Nematode Parasite of Mosquitoes

Authors

  • J. J. Petersen

Abstract

Maturation of the mermithid nematode Reesimermis nielseni to the adult stage began by the tenth day after emergence of the nematodes from their hosts at ambient temperatures (24-27 C). Most postparasitic males and females reached the adult stage after 50 and 70 days, respectively. The first females exhibiting egg development and oviposition were observed 25-30 days after emergence, but some oviposition was still taking place 150 days later. Reesimermis nielseni laid an average 2,480 eggs per female over an 18-day oviposition period. A majority of the mature eggs hatched within 7 h after the cultures were flooded. The preparasites are short-lived, and only a few were able to infect exposed hosts after 72 h. Key Words: Biological control, oviposition, postparasites, life cycle, hatching.

Downloads

Published

1975-07-15

Issue

Section

Articles