Abstract
Galls on Desmodium ovalifolium plants caused by Pterotylenchus cecidogenus were stored in either paper (low humidity) or sealed plastic (high humidity) bags at constant 10, 24, 30 or 35°C or at temperatures fluctuating between 18 and 22°C for 4 weeks. The total number of P. cecidogenus and of females subsequently extracted was reduced by increasing temperature, fluctuating temperature and high humidity. Isolated nematodes were very intolerant of desiccation. Motility of nematodes was diminished with increasing osmotic pressure and time of exposure when treated with solutions of 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 M NaCl for 6 or 24 hours. By using frequency distributions of body lengths it was shown that the fourth-stage juveniles were best able to survive desiccation and high temperature in plant galls and high osmotic pressure, followed by J3 with J2 and adult females having similar ability.
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