PSAMMOMERMIS NITIDULENSIS N-SP (NEMATODA, MERMITHIDAE) FROM SAP BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, NITIDULIDAE) WITH BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AND A KEY TOTHE SPECIES OF PSAMMOMERMIS

Psammomermis nitidulensis n. sp. (Nematoda : Mermithidae) is described from three species of sap beetles, Carpophilus bugubris Murray, C. an tiquus Melsh and Colopterus truncatus (Randall) (Coleoptera: Nitidulid ae) from Mason County, IL, USA. This mermithid differs from previously described members of the genus by the shape of the amphids and their association with the amphidial glands, the length, form and curvature of the spicules and the shape of the vagina vera and vagina uterina. A key to the species of Psammomatous is provided and the generic diagno sis is emended. This mermithid causes up to 80 % parasitism and death of the dusky sap beetle (C. lugubris), an important vector of mycotoxi genic fungi. Investigations are under way to determine the possibility of utilizing this mermithid for biological control of this insect pes t.