The effects of temperature on the infectivity of Romanomermis culicivorax
Brown, B.J.; Platzer, E.G.
Journal of Nematology 9(2): 166-172
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19305586 Document Number: 123342
The survival time (ST) of the preparasitic larvae of R. culicivorax was determined by measuring motility at 1.degree., 6.degree., 12.degree., 18.degree., 21.degree., 27.degree., 30.degree. and 37.degree. C; the ST50 at each temperature was 2.3, 2.2, 2.0, 2.0, 1.7, 1.6, 0.9 and 0.7 days, respectively. Of the preparasites .apprx. 1/3 infected 1st-instar larvae of C. pipiens within 24 h at 27.degree. C. The preparasites were infective at 12.degree.-33.degree. C with the optimum infectivity at 21.degree.-33.degree. C. Lower temperatures decreased percent infectivity but increased the time that the nematodes remained infective. The time required for host infection increased as preparasitic larvae aged at 15.degree., 21.degree. and 27.degree. C.