title: Infectivity of a mermithid nematode Romanomermis iyengari (Welch) in different conductivity levels under laboratory and field conditions.
abstract: 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 ho/cm. Although, 62-69% of the preparasite survived at 4000-5400 mu ho/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 ho/cm but also got established there.
authors.affiliation: Vector Control Research Centre, (Indian Council of Medical Research), Pondicherry.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Paily
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arunachalam
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Somachary
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balaraman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000469:parasitology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008632:Mermithoidea / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological