Distribution, Seasonal Occurrence, and Patterns of Parasitism of Heleidomermis magnapapula (Nematoda: Mermithidae), a Parasite of Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in California

1 February 1994

journal article
Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Environmental Entomology

Vol. 23 (1) , 154-160
https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/23.1.154

Abstract

A statewide survey indicated that the mermithid nematode Heleidomermis magnapapula Poinar & Mullens was widespread in California. The nematode occurred in many manure-polluted habitats where the insect host, Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett), was found, but was absent from two saline or alkaline habitats. Nematodes emerged from larvae of C. variipennis between February and November. Field-collected, late-instar C. variipennis were held individually to determine the extent of parasitism. Parasitism ranged from 0 to 69% in southern California. Hosts parasitized by a single nematode most commonly yielded females, whereas hosts harboring multiple nematodes yielded males. The sex ratio was 2.4 males per female. Only three of 5,308 adult midges were found to be parasitized.

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