First records of mermithid nematodes (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitising stick insects (Insecta: Phasmatodea)

Abstract

Hitherto the occurrence of mermithid nematodes (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitising stick insects has not been reported. Six mermithids were collected after emerging from specimens of New Zealand stick insects field collected and held in captivity. The mermithid nematodes are recorded from the stick insect genera Clitarchus Stål, Acan‐thoxyla Uvarov, Asteliaphasma Jewell & Brock and Tectarchus Salmon. Small subunit RNA (18S) sequence was obtained from one of the mermithid specimens. Phylogenetic analysis of this sequence and previously published nematode 18S sequences confirmed the morphological identification. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2009.