| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1998 |
| Authors: | M. M. A. de Doucet, Miranda, M. B., Bertolotti, M. A. |
| Journal: | Fundamental and Applied Nematology |
| Volume: | 21 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pagination: | 13 - 16 |
| Date Published: | 1998 |
| Keywords: | capitis, Heterorhabditidae, humanus, nematode, Pediculus, steinernematidae |
| Abstract: | The susceptibility of human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, to three species of Argentinean entomogenous nematodes, Steinernema rara, S. feltiae, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Oliva and Rio Negro strains), was studied. All species and strains, except S. feltiae, killed adult and nymph head lice. None of the species killed the eggs. S. rara and the Rio Negro strain of H. bacteriophora killed both adults and nymphs; on the contrary H. bacteriophora Oliva was more aggressive to adults. Apparently, penetration into the lice body takes place through the spiracles, which means that the body size of the infective juveniles is a limiting factor. This is the first report of parasitism in head lice by entomogenous nematodes. |