Incidence of Mermis nigrescens Dujardin (Mermithida: Mermithidae: Nematoda) in paddy grasshoppers

Abstract

Paddy (rice) is considered the most precious crop in Pakistan including Badin. But, unfortunately many pests are responsible for the reduction of this cash crop among the number of pest, grasshoppers are important factor. At the present a total of 983 specimens of 15 grasshoppers species penetrating to 8 sub families were found infected with Mermis nigrescens. However, parasitism ratio was reported ten times greater in flooded rice fields than in grasslands. It was also reported that maximum infection of Mermis was reported in the population of Oxya hyla hyla i-e 12.40% followed by 10.76% and 10.21% for Oxya velox and Poekilocerus pictus respectively. However, infection percentage of Hieroglyphus perpolita was noted 9.48% and significant least infection was noted in the sampling of Eyprepocnemus alaris alaris 2.91% and 3.83 and 3.81% was noted for Truxalis exmia exmia and Heteracris illustris respectively