Journal of Nematology (2005) 37, p. 387 (Pacheco-Perez et al.)

R. Pacheco-Perez, E.G. Platzer and B.C. Hyman (2005)
Hybrization of two widely separated species of Romanomermis
Journal of Nematology 37 (3), 387-387
44th Annual Meeting, Society of Nematologists, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 9-13 July, 2005
Abstract: The genus Romanomermis is the most thoroughly studied group of mermithid nematodes parasitic in mosquitoes. A great deal of basic and applied research is still necessary to achieve the full potential of these organisms for the biological control of mosquitoes. A program to increase strain vigor through hybridization of Romanomermis species from widely separated geographic areas is in progress. Romanomermis culicivorax (Louisiana, USA) and Romanomermis iyengari (Pondicherry, India) were propagated in Culex pipiens. Emergent postparasites were isolated in individual wells of 12-well culture plates until sexually mature. Both intra- and interspecies reciprocal crosses between males and females were established. Interspecific matings were infrequent in contrast to intraspecific mating. Egg production from interspecific matings was sparse and development to infectious preparasites was rare. However, some preparasites have developed and infected larvae of Aedes aegypti and C. pipiens. Adult females and males have been frozen for genotyping and bioassays are in progress to define baseline values for infectivity and fecundity of parental and hybrid strains.
Database assignments for author(s): Edward G. Platzer

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex pipiens
Romanomermis culicivorax (entomopathogen)	Culex pipiens		U.S.A. (mid S)
Romanomermis iyengari (entomopathogen)	Culex pipiens		India