Report of a mermithid nematode infecting Amyna axis, Chrysodeixisspp. and Spodoptera spp. from India

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Authors

  • S. Ramesh Babu
     Agriculture Research Station, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Banswara - 327001, Rajasthan ,IN
  • Victor Phani
     Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PUSA Campus, New Delhi - 110012 ,IN
  • P. K. Meena
     Agriculture Research Station, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Banswara - 327001, Rajasthan ,IN
  • Khushbu Chauhan
     Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PUSA Campus, New Delhi - 110012 ,IN
  • M. R. Khan
     Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PUSA Campus, New Delhi - 110012 ,IN
  • V. S. Somvanshi
     Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PUSA Campus, New Delhi - 110012 ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/2019/22801

Keywords:

Amyna Axis, Chrysodeixis, Hexamermis, mermithid, soybean, Spodoptera

Abstract

Amyna axis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), Chrysodeixis spp. (C. acuta and C. eriosoma) and Spodoptera spp. (S. exigua and S. litura) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are important polyphagous insect-pests of leguminous crops. A mermithid (Nematoda: Mermithidae) nematode was found parasitizing the larval stages of these insects in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Morphological and molecular analysis suggests that the nematode might be a species of the genus Hexamermis. The average length of post-parasitic nematode juveniles was 15 cm, and the average greatest body width was 1.5 mm. The vulva was median (V% = 48) without vulval flap. Approximately 100-125 μm long caudal appendages were present on tail. The cross-section revealed the presence of six hypodermal chords at the mid body region, and stichosome was present. The 18S rDNA sequence showed 99% similarity to mermithid nematode. A phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences of mermithids resulted in identification of a new clade "Lineage 3” which included representatives of Mermis sp., Isomermis sp., Limnomermis sp., and Pheromermis sp. This is the first report of natural mermithid parasitism of A. axis and Chrysodeixis spp. along with its molecular characterization.

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Published

2019-12-05

How to Cite

Babu, S. R., Phani, V., Meena, P. K., Chauhan, K., Khan, M. R., & Somvanshi, V. S. (2019). Report of a mermithid nematode infecting <i>Amyna axis</i>, <i>Chrysodeixis</i>spp. and <i>Spodoptera</i> spp. from India. Journal of Biological Control, 33(3), 217–221. https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/2019/22801

Issue

Volume 33, Issue 3, September 2019

Section

Research Articles
Crossref
Scopus
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Europe PMC
Received 2018-11-24
Accepted 2018-12-13
Published 2019-12-05

 

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