title: Egg production by Strelkovimermis spiculatus (Nematoda:Mermithidae).
abstract: Egg production by the mermithid nematode Strelkovimermis spiculatus, a parasite of mosquitoes, was examined over a period of 34 days. Oviposition did not occur in the absence of males. Egg production was best when males were continuously present (6.4 x 10(3) +/- 0.9 x 10(3) eggs/female). Fewer eggs were produced when males were removed after 7 days (2.8 x 10(3) +/- 0.2 x 10(3) eggs/female) and oviposition partially recovered after males were returned 11 days later (4.4 x 10(3) +/- 0.5 x 10(3) eggs/female). The nematodes deposited substantially more eggs in sand (6.4 x 10(3) +/- 0.9 x 10(3)/female) than in water (1.9 x 10(3) +/- 0.3 x 10(3)/(female).
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA/ARS, Gainesville, FL 32604, USA.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Undeen
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008632:Mermithoidea / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition; D010063:Ovum