ARS | Publication request: EGG PRODUCTION BY STRELKOVIMERMIS SPICULATUS (NEMATODA: MERMITHIDAE)

Submitted to: Journal of the Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 25, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A parasitic worm (mermithid nematode) is being developed for biological control of mosquitoes. Research and production depends upon knowledge of its egg production. This work shows that more eggs are produced when the worms are held in sand than in water and that the continued presence of males is essential. Optimizing egg production will permit harvesting of eggs in known stages of development, allowing studies of their hatching and their tolerance to environmental stresses. This research is important, in the near term, to the research community and, later on, to any company that intends to produce a product based upon this mermithid.

Technical Abstract: Egg production by the mermithid nematode of mosquitoes, Strelkovimermis spiculatus, was examined over a 34 day-period. Oviposition did not occur in the absence of males. Egg production was best when males were continuously present (6.4 +/- 0.9x10(3) eggs/female). Fewer eggs were produced when males were removed after seven days (2.8 +/- 0.2x10(3) eggs/female) and oviposition partially recovered after males were returned 11 days later (4.4 +/- 0.5x10(3) eggs/female). The nematodes deposited substantially more eggs in sand (6.4 +/- 0.9x10(3)/female) than in water 1.9 +/- 0.3x10(3)/female).