CHROMONEMA-HELIOTHIDIS N-GEN, N-SP (STEINERNEMATIDAE, NEMATODA), A PARASITE OF HELIOTHIS-ZEA (NOCTUIDAE, LEPIDOPTERA), AND OTHER INSECTS

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (2) , 159-168
Abstract
CHROMONEMA heliothidis is described as an entomophilic nematode of H. zea and other lepidopterous larvae; the diagnosis of the family Steinernematidae is emended. In most morphological and host-parasite features, this nematode is similar to neoaplectanid nematodes; however, males are different in having a peloderan bursa and straight to slightly curved spicules. Although the infective-stage juveniles only give rise to hermaphrodites, the nematode is hetergonic, with both males and females being produced in the 2nd generation. Parasitized hosts are brick-red in color and luminescent in the dark because of the association of a chromogenic, bioluminescent bacterium with the nematode. The nematode is capable of parasitizing a wide range of insects with lepidopterous larvae being most susceptible.

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