1928] Mermis Parasitism in Pachycondyla striata 199 
MERMIS PARASITISM IN PACHYCONDYLA STRIATA. 
By T. D. Strelnikov 
Leningrad, Russia 
In my collection of ants from Alto Parana (Paraguay) I en- 
countered a large specimen of Pachycondyla striata F. Sm. which 
was infected with a nematode worm (Mermis). In a recent paper 
by Professor W. M. Wheeler 1 the whole problem of Mermis 
Fig. 1. a, Pachycondyla striata ; normal; b, Pachycondyla striata; Mermithized; c, head of 
normal worker from above; d, head of Mermithergate. 
parasitism and intercastes among ants is reviewed. He has given 
an account of all cases of mermithism, including several new 
cases among certain Neotropical Formicidse. Professor Wheeler 
gives also an interpretation and a discussion of the whole problem 
of mermithized ants and a list of the relevant literature. 
The Pachycondyla striata from Paraguay, which I have 
Wheeler, W. M. Mermis Parasitism and Intercastes among Ants. 
Journ. Exper. Zool. Vol. 50, No. 2, 1928. 
