Commensal nematodes in the glands, genitalia, and brood cells of bees (apoidea)
Giblin-Davis, R.M.; Norden, B.B.; Batra, S.W.; Eickwort, G.C.
Journal of Nematology 22(2): 150-161
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19287704 Document Number: 358414
Seven species of bees from the eastern USA, representing 4 families in the Apoidea, were dissected and examined for nematode associates. Dufour's glands in females of Halictus ligatus, Augochlora pura mosieri and Augochlorella gratiosa (Halictidae) from Florida were infested with dauer juveniles of Aduncospiculum halicti (Diplogasteridae). The Dufour's glands of Colletes thoracicus (Colletidae) females from Maryland were infested with dauer juveniles of a new species of Koerneria sp. (Diplogasteridae), and abdominal glands of females of Andrena alleghaniensis (Andrenidae) from New York were infested with dauer juveniles of another new species of Koerneria. The lateral and median oviducts, Dufour's glands, and poison sacs in females of Anthophora abrupta (Anthophoridae) from Maryland and Alabama were infested with dauer juveniles of a new species of Bursaphelenchus sp. (Aphelenchoididae). Cross sections of the nematode-infested poison sacs of A. abrupta revealed 2 types of humoral host defence reactions. Seven species of bees from the eastern USA, representing 4 families, were dissected and examined for nematode associates. Dufour's glands in females of Halictus ligatus, Augochlora pura mosieri, and Augochlorella gratiosa (Halictidae) from Florida were infested with dauer juveniles of Aduncospiculum halicti (Diplogasteridae). The Dufour's glands of Colletes thoracicus (Colletidae) females from Maryland were infested with dauer juveniles of a new species of Koerneria (Diplogasteridae), and abdominal glands of females of Andrena alleghaniensis (Andrenidae) from New York were infested with dauer juveniles of another new species of Koerneria. The lateral and median oviducts, Dufour's glands, and venom sacs in females of Anthophora abrupta (Anthophoridae) from Maryland and Alabama were infested with dauer juveniles of a new species of Bursaphelenchus (Aphelenchoididae). Cross-sections of the nematode-infested venom sacs of A. abrupta revealed two types of humoral host defence reactions.