Penetration and development of the mermithid nematode Reesimermis nielseni in eighteen species of mosquitoes
Petersen, J.J.
Journal of Nematology 7(3): 207-210
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-300X PMID: 19308157 Document Number: 94232
The susceptibility of larvae of 17 species of mosquitoes to the infective stage of Reesimermis nielseni was compared with that of larvae of Culex pipiens fatigans Wied. (pipiens quinquefasciatus auct.). Thirteen species were more suceptible than C. p. fatigans, with 3 species of Anopheles and Culiseta inornata (Will.) the most susceptible. Aedes triseriatus (Say), Culex territans Wlk. and Psorophora ferox (Humb.) were highly resistant. Resistance to R. nielseni appeared to be behavioural, physical or physiological, and some host species exhibited one or more types of defence mechanisms. No noticeable differences were apparent in the degree of susceptibility of a wild-caught and a laboratory-bred strain of C. p. fatigans to R. nielseni. The susceptibilities of 18 species of mosquitoes to infection with Reesimermis nielseni were compared in the laboratory to that of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus. 13 species were more susceptible, with Anopheles albimanus, A. quadrimaculatus, A. freeborni and Culiseta inornata the most susceptible. Aedes triseriatus, Culex territans and Psorophora ferox were highly resistant. Resistance to R. nielseni appeared to be behavioural, physical or physiological; some host species exhibited one or more of these types of defence mechanisms. No noticeable differences were apparent in the degree of susceptibility of a native and a laboratory strain of C. p. quinquefasciatus. [AS].