First record of a mermithid worm (Nematoda, Mermithidae) parasitizing a third instar nymph of Triatoma sordida (Stål, 1859) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) from Mato Grosso, Brazil

By

Martins, Mirian
Moraes, Sinara
Cohen, Simone Chinicz
Cárdenas, Melissa Q.
Galvão, Cleber

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

980

Pages

79--91

Subjects

Brazil , Mato Grosso , Mermithidae , Nematoda , new host record , parasite , Triatoma sordida , Triatominae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.980.55865

 

Abstract

A juvenile specimen of a mermithid (Nematoda) was found parasitizing a third instar nymph ofTriatoma sordidafrom Mato Grosso, Brazil. This is the first record of mermithid parasitism in a triatomine species. The Mermithidae represents a family of nematodes that are specialized insect parasites. Entomonematodes are one of the highly influential agents regulating the population dynamics of insects. This report introduces the opportunity to think about mermithids as a possible candidate for use as triatomine biological control.