Effects of temperature and photoperiod on the infection of two mosquito species by the mermithid Romanomermis culicivorax
Galloway, T.D.; Brust, R.A.
Journal of Nematology 9(3): 218-221
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19305598 Document Number: 118970
Successful invasion by Romanomermis culicivorax declined linearly from 93.6 to 1.5% in Culex tarsalis and from 73.1 to 1.6% in Aedes dorsalis larvae exposed in the laboratory at 18, 16, 14, 12 and 10 deg C. Larvae of C. tarsalis were more susceptible than those of A. dorsalis at 18 and 16 deg C, but this relationship was reversed at 12 deg C. Larval mortality during the 48-hour exposure period was due primarily to nematode infection: larvae of both A. dorsalis and C. tarsalis are killed more easily by the sustained infection as the stress from low temperature increases. Photoperiod had no effect on infection. [AS] Successful invasion by the mermithid Romanomermis culicivorax declined linearly from 93.6 to 1.5% in larvae of Culex tarsalis Coq. and from 73.1 to 1.6% in larvae of Aedes dorsalis (Mg.) exposed in the laboratory at 18, 16, 14, 12, and 10 deg C. Larvae of C. tarsalis were more susceptible than those of A. dorsalis at 18 and 16 deg C, but this relationship was reversed at 12 deg C. Larval mortality during the 48 h exposure period was due primarily to nematode infection. Photoperiod had no effect on infection.