Parasitism of the Tobacco Flea Beetle 1 By A Sphaerulariid Nematode Howardula Sp. 23

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Abstract
Epizootics of an undescribed Howardula sp. nematode (family Sphaerulariidae) occurred in tobacco fields among larval populations of the tobacco flea beetle, Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer), at Oxford, NC in 1974 and 1975, and Clayton, NC in 1975. The parasitic adult ♀ nematode produced juveniles in about 70% of the parasitized flea beetle larvae. The potentially infective juveniles were able to exit from the parasitized larvae. Also, from 0 to over 50% of the adult E. hirtipennis were parasitized which resulted in greatly reduced fecundity among afflicted ♀ beetles.