An Experimental Investigation into the Life History of Blatticola Blattae, a Nematode Found in Blattella Germanica

Abstract

The taxonomy of nematodes infesting insects of the family Blattidae has been worked on for many years by various investigators. But to the writer's knowledge there has been only one study made on the life history of a nematode found in the Blattidae. Although Hammerschmidtiella diesingi was included in the aforementioned study, special emphasis was placed on Leidynema appendiculata. Both of the worms were found in Periplaneta americana. Thus its was felt that a study of the life history of Blatticola blattae, which is found in Blattella germanica, would be interesting as well as informative.