Resistance of prey to predation and strike rate of the predators, Mononchoides longicaudatus and M. fortidens - (Nematoda: Diplogasterida)

Abstract

Resistance of prey nematodes to predation, strike rate of the predators, Mononchoides longicaudatus and M. fortidens and their ability to wound prey and feed upon them was determined on agar plates. M. longicaudatus and M. fortidens attacked al1 kinds of prey nematodes. The second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita and Anguina tritici and the adult Acrobeloides sp., Cephalobus sp., and Panagrellus redivivus were most susceptible to predation while Hemicriconemoides mangiferae and Hoplolaimus indicus were totally resistant. Hirschmanniella oryzae, Helicotylenchus indicus, Tylenchorhynchus mashhoodi, Xiphinema americanum, Rhabditis sp., Trichodorus sp., and Longidorus sp., were attacked with intermediate frequencies. M. longicaudatus took a minimum of 15-25 min. to finish a juvenile of M. incognita and maximum 80-110 min. for the Longidorus sp., white M. fortidens consistently consumed prey at a faster rate.