Mermithid nematodes (Mermithida: Mermithidae) infect and kill many different invertebrates and have been investigated for their potential as a biological control agent of insect pests. In this study, we conducted a survey of mermithid nematodes infecting fruit-piercing stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Japan. We collected fruit-piercing stink bugs in four different prefectures (Shizuoka, Mie, Tokushima, and Saga) and investigated the distribution and infection ratio by mermithid nematodes. The results indicate that the nematode infection ratio of Glaucias subpunctatus (Walker) was higher than that of Plautia stali Scott or Halyomorpha halys (Stal). Furthermore, significant differences in mermithid infection percentages were observed among regions and seasons, with the highest being in G. subpunctatus in Mie during May–June. Of note, all mermithid nematodes were isolated from stink bugs collected from plants, and no nematodes were isolated from stink bugs attracted to store lights. This implies that parasitism of mermithid nematodes may affect the behavior of the host stink bugs. Furthermore, we obtained DNA sequences and simple morphological characteristics for the nematodes isolated. This study indicates that the mermithid nematodes obtained from stink bugs belong in the genus Hexamermis.

中文翻译：

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对日本感染穿果臭虫（半翅目：五足科）的线虫（Memithidida：Mermithidae）的调查

Mermithid 线虫（Memithida：Mermithidae）感染和杀死许多不同的无脊椎动物，并已对其作为害虫生物防治剂的潜力进行了研究。在这项研究中，我们在日本对感染刺穿水果的臭虫（半翅目：五足科）的线虫进行了调查。我们在四个不同的县（静冈县、三重县、德岛县和佐贺县）收集了刺穿水果的臭虫，并调查了鼠尾草线虫的分布和感染率。结果表明，Glaucias subpunctatus (Walker) 的线虫感染率高于 Plautia stali Scott 或 Halyomorpha halys (Stal)。此外，在不同地区和季节之间观察到了mermithid感染百分比的显着差异，其中最高的是三重县的G. subpunctatus 5-6月。值得注意的是，所有的线虫都是从从植物中收集的臭虫中分离出来的，没有线虫是从被商店灯光吸引的臭虫中分离出来的。这意味着寄生线虫可能会影响寄主臭虫的行为。此外，我们获得了分离的线虫的 DNA 序列和简单的形态特征。该研究表明，从臭虫中获得的人形线虫属于六足虫属。