TITLE:
First Occurrence of Paragordius varius in Different Species of Acrididae in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
AUTHORS:
Manuel Dario Salas-Araiza, Ilse Alejandra Huerta-Arredondo, Rafael Guzmán-Mendoza, Itzel Berenice Aguilar-Campos, Daniela de Jesús Bustos-Gallaga, Miguel Angel Rocha-García, David Isaías Rodríguez-Vázquez
KEYWORDS:
Grasshoppers, Paragordius varius, Parasitism, Nematomorph, Biological Control
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Entomology,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
7,
2025
ABSTRACT: Acridid populations have increased significantly in recent years, causing damage to crops. Having biocontrol tools is important as it will help reduce the use of insecticides. This study reports the presence of Paragordius varius in grasshoppers for the first time in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. Samples were taken from the grass around a water pond. A total of 1,225 grasshoppers were dissected to observe the presence of the worm. Seven species of grasshoppers were identified, with the most abundant species being Melanoplus differentialis. The parasitoid Paragordius varius, a nematomorph, parasitized male M. differentialis in greater numbers. This work is the first record of this parasitoid in Mexico and contributes to the knowledge of the biological control of acridids in Mexico.