AGAMERMIS CATADECAUDATA N-SP (NEMATODA, MERMITHIDAE), A PARASITOID OFORTHOPTERA IN SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Agamermis catadecaudata n. sp. is a parasitoid of the acridids Phaulac ridium vittatum (Sjostedt), Praxibulus exsculptus Rehn and Brachyexarn a lobipennis Sjostedt, the tetrigid Paratettix australicus Walker, the katydid Conacephalus sp. and the cricket Bobilla victoriae Otte and A llexander in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. In the labora tory A. catadecaudata n. sp. infected and developed in the acridid Cho rtoicetes Terminifera (Walker). A. catadecaudata n. sp. is distinguish ed from all previously described species by the length of the infectiv e juvenile and the position of the node. The infective is decaudate. A dult A. catadecaudata n. sp. are similar to A. decaudata but the egg i s smaller and the male has a shorter spicule. Throughout its range the re are two forms of preparasitic juvenile the relative abundances of w hich are variable. An undescribed species, Agamermis sp. aff. sinuosa Kaiser, was recorded in the Southern, Central and Northern Tablelands and was sympatric with A. catadecaudata n. sp. in the Northern Tablela nds. The host of A. sp. aff: sinuosa is unknown.