Apr. 17. i9i6 Two New Nematodes 127 



examined had no hibernation stage, their hfe cycle was continually 

 repeated under favorable conditions. Insufficient moisture and lack of 

 suitable food seriously interfered with the development of these 

 nematodes. 



A series of experiments was carried on to ascertain whether it is 

 possible to introduce these parasites into Letccotermes lucijugus. Good 

 cultures of nematodes were obtained in moist soil, into which specimens 

 of L. lucijugus were placed. After two days a number of these termites 

 were dissected, and it was found that there was an average of 22.9 nema- 

 todes in each head. In three days this average rose to 32.9 and in four 

 days it was 46.6. In each instance the check count remained the same, 

 being about 3 nematodes per head. After remaining in a similar culture 

 for 1 2 days, all the termites died and the bodies were found to be literally 



alive with nematodes. 



SUMMARY 



(i) The eggs of Diplogaster labiaia hatched in from 30 to 32 hours, 

 while those of D. aerivora hatched in about 18 hours. 



(2) The eggs of D. lahiata were deposited singly, while those of D. 

 aerivora were deposited in groups. 



(3) More cases of eggs hatching in the body were found in D. aerivora 

 than in D. lahiata. 



(4) The eggs of both species developed similarly. 



(5) Both species, when reared in water cultures, used the same food, 

 but in nature they had different hosts. 



(6) Both species molted, but the process dififered in that D. lahiata fas- 

 tened its posterior end, while D. aerivora did not. 



(7) The adults of D. aerivora were larger than those of D. lahiata and 

 required much less time to mature. 



(8) In water cultures, the females of both species were more numerous 

 than the males. 



(9) Although mating was similar in both species, D. lahiata required 

 more time for the process. 



(10) Individuals of D. lahiata usually mated but once, while those of 

 D. aerivora mated repeatedly. 



(11) Neither species in their habits showed any preference to day or 

 night. 



(12) The females of D. aerivora had a period of oviposition of about 

 13 days, while in D. lahiata this period lasted only about 2 days. 



(13) In both species adaptable and plentiful food acted as a stimulant 

 to reproduction. 



(14) Both species attacked insects, but in different regions of the body, 

 as D. aerivora was found in the head while D. lahiata was found in the 

 intestines. 



(15) The life cycle of D. lahiata required more than twice as much 

 time as did that of D. aerivora. 



(16) D. aerivora was successfully introduced into the termites. 



