Laboratory infection of blackflies (Simuliidae) and midges (Chironomidae) by the mosquito mermithid, Romanomermis culicivorax.
Penetrating infective juveniles of Romanomermis culicivorax usually killed first-stage larvae of Chironomus maturus Johann., Chironomus sp., Simulium damnosum Theo., and S. venustum Say. Nematodes were melanized and died after they entered fourth stage larvae of 2 chironomid species, but no host reaction was evident after entry into fourth-stage blackfly larvae. In contrast, the nematodes initiated development in the latter hosts, which died before the nematodes completed their development.
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007814:Larva / Q000469:parasitology; D008632:Mermithoidea / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*