Egg production by Strelkovimermis spiculatus (Nematoda:Mermithidae).
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).
Undeen
A H
AH
Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA/ARS, Gainesville, FL 32604, USA.
White
S E
SE
Fukuda
T
T
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008632:Mermithoidea / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition; D010063:Ovum