Pathogenicity tests on nine mosquito species and several non-target organisms with Strelkovimermis spiculatus (Nemata mermithidae)

Nine species of mosquitoes and several species of non-tar-get aquatic organ isms were tested for susceptibility to the mermithid nematode, Strelkovimer mis spiculatus, All species of Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, and Toxorhynchites exposed to S. spiculatus were susceptible. Of the nine mosquito species tes ted, C, pipiens quinquefasciatus had the greatest tolerance to initial inva sion and the highest percent infection of those that survived. High levels of infection were also achieved with Aedes taeniorhynchus and A. albopictus , but these mosquitoes Were significantly less tolerant to parasitism than C. pipiens quinquefasciatus. Strelkovimermis spiculatus did not infect or d evelop in any of the non-target hosts tested.