P. Hernandezcrespo et C. Santiagoalvarez, EGG-LAYING AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEXAMERMIS-SERENENSIS (NEMATODA, MERMITHIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS, Fundamental and applied nematology, 20(1), 1997, pp. 43-45
Egg laying and development of Hexamermis serenensis (Nematoda; Mermith
idae), a parasite of the locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orthoptera; A
crididae) has been studied in laboratory. Total fecundity of females w
as more than 725-1089 eggs, with a maximum rate of 125-130 eggs/day. E
ggs were laid at the unicellular stage. Development was followed at 26
degrees C : bicellular stages were observed 1 day after egg-laying :
elongation of the embryo was seen by day 5-6, early coil stage by day
9-10, and hatching occurred by day 26-29. Only 15-20% of the eggs laid
were viable. Infective stages maintained at 4 degrees C survived 18-6
6 days, and survived 7-20 days at 15 degrees C or 26 degrees C. Result
s suggest that H. serenensis may have only one generation per year in
field conditions.