In article <422b0c$57h at vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>, kevinfay at osiris.cso.uiuc.edu
says...
>>Now here are my questions:
> 1. We have many areas (sediment ponds, etc) where we conduct
>mosquito larvaciding. Is introducing mermithids a viable form of
>biological mosquito control?
I haven't worked with nematodes myself but I have given a few talks on
biocontrol and might be able to partially answer part of your questions
Apparently they have shown promise, particularly in small well-defined
habitats like woodland pools etc. but are sensitive to water quality and often
do not acheive high enough control rates in the field.
>> 2. Are they being produced commercially or are there companies
>that produce other nematodes that may be interested in producing these? I
>have an article that mentions a product called Skeeter Doom which was
>supposed to be a commercially prepared mosquito mermithid.
The problem is apparently that they are very difficult/expensive/tricky to
mass produce and the commercial outfits have basically given up.
>> 3. Are Anopheles and Culex the only mosquitoes these mermithids
parasitize?
>I haven't read much research on mermithids and Aedes. Is this true or am I
>missing something?
Natural parasitism of some snow pool Aedes species by mermithids is incredibly
high
>> 4. I have an article from Agricultural Research that explains how
>to rear the mermithid R. nielseni, however I understand that this
>mermithid is only native to Louisiana. Is this true? Would I have to rear
>my own larvae and see what type mermithid emerged and then introduce them
>into areas where no mermithids are present?
Don't know.
See the article "The future of microbial insecticides as vector control
agents" (B.A. Federici 1995; J. Amer. mosq. contr. Assoc 11:260-268) for an
overview of the current status of various biocontrol agents including
nematodes.
Hope this is helpful
--Steve Schutz
