Three Aedes species infested by mermithids in France

Mermithid nematodes (Nematoda, Mermithidae) parasitising mosquitoes could be useful as biological agents for the control of host populations. Nine female mosquitoes belonging to the species Aedes cantans, Ae. communis, and Ae. rusticus were found parasitised by mermithids in Northern France. Sequencing of partial 18S rDNA showed 100% sequence homology for all processed specimens. The mermithid sequences were closely related to specimens previously recorded from Anopheles gambiae in Senegal. However, 18S sequences do not allow for identification of nematodes at the genus or species level. Our specimens could also be related to Strelkovimermis spiculatus, or belong to other genera not yet sequenced such as Empidomermis, the only mermithid genus recorded from mosquitoes in France.

Automated summary

Nine female mosquitoes from Northern France, including Aedes cantans, Ae. communis, and Ae. rusticus, were found parasitised by mermithid nematodes. Sequencing of partial 18S rDNA revealed 100% sequence homology among all specimens, with close relation to mermithids previously recorded from Anopheles gambiae in Senegal. However, the 18S sequences did not provide enough information for genus or species identification of the nematodes. The specimens could potentially belong to Strelkovimermis spiculatus or other unsequenced genera such as Empidomermis, which is the only mermithid genus recorded from mosquitoes in France.