Infectivity of a mermithid nematode Romanomermis iyengari (Welch) in different conductivity levels under laboratory and field conditions
Paily, K.P.; Arunachalam, N.; Somachary, N.; Balaraman, K.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 29(6): 579-581
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 1889833 Document Number: 387299
Infectivity of R. iyengari was examined by exposing mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) larvae to the preparasite at different conductivity levels. The preparasite infected 63.5, 30, 11, 1.5 and 0.5% of the mosquito larvae respectively at 2000, 2500, 3000, 3300 and 3600 .mu.mho/cm. Although, 62-69% of the preparasite survived at 4000-5400 .mu.mho/cm, it did not infect. Application of preparasite to tree-holes resulted in 53-63% infection of Aedes albopictus larvae initially. On 6th day the infection level was 40% which decreased further to 7% by 15th day. The infection reappeared on 38th day indicating that R. iyengari has not only infected mosquito larvae as soon as they were applied to tree-holes in which the conductivity was 600-2800 .mu.mho/cm but also got established there.