Hexamermis eurygasteri n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitising the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Turkey

Abstract

A new species of mermithid nematode, Hexamermis eurygasteri n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) is described as a parasite of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Turkey. The combination of the following characters separate H. eurygasteri from other members of Hexamermis Steiner, 1924, as defined by Artyukhovsky (1990) and Kaiser (1991): amphidial pouch integrated into lateral cephalic papillae; amphidial openings minute; well-developed cuticular vulval cone; small vulval lips; vagina straight or slightly curved at tip, without reverse bend; spicules shorter in length than body diameter at cloaca; spicules straight, except occasionally for short bend at base; spicule tips bluntly rounded; and two double rows of genital papillae. This is the first description of a nematode parasite of a member of the Scutelleridae and the first description of a mermithid nematode from Turkey. This mermithid has potential as a biological control agent in an integrated control programme of the sunn pest.

Evaluating Some Insecticides for Controlling the Sunn Pest Eurygaster Spp. Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) Under Field Conditions

“…Significant differences were found between results of some tested insecticides and that of the controls and for all periods. Insecticides efficacies after one week of treatment ranged between 81.3% for Matrxin plus (Abamactein+Oxymatrixin) as Glutamate-gated chloride channel allosteric modulators and 98.4% for Levo ULV (a.i.Oxymatrin, is one of many quinolizidine alkaloid compounds extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens, a Chinese herb) [12]. Indicated that using insecticides with acetamiprid (SL, Soluble concentrate), chlorpyrifosethyl (EC, Suspension concentrate), lambda-cyhalothrin (CS, capsu Sodium channel modulators le suspension), monocrotophos (SC, Suspension concentrate), thiacloprid (SC) and zeta-cypermethrin (EC) as active ingredient gave high efficacies in controlling E. integriceps adults and reduced subsequent egg laying and the appearance of nymphs in the trial area in Turkey.…”

Evaluating Some Insecticides for Controlling the Sunn Pest Eurygaster spp. Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) under Field Conditions

“…Mermithid nematode, Hexamermis eurygasteri n. sp. was used as a biological control agent in an integrated control program of the sunn pest in Turkey [7]. Turkish government has been changing the sunn pest overwintering adult control policy by wheat growers after shifting from aerial spray to ground application.…”