Pristionchus sp. (Rhabditida: Diplogastridae) from Italian populations of Anoplophora chinensis Forster (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

Abstract

Priostonchus sp. n. (Rhabditida: Diplogastridae) is described from a population of Citrus Longhorn Beetles. Alive adults of this Cerambycid were collected from Acer saccharinum trees at Assago and Parabiago (Villastanza), two localities near Milan (Italy). The natural occurrence of the entomogenous nematode in the beetle was not frequent and widespread in the study area. Preliminary laboratory infectivity tests highlight the potential parasitic nature of the nematode. However, it was not successfully maintained in storage and culture. The diplogasterid Pristionchus sp. has rather complicate systematic thus a biomolecular analysis based on DNA is necessary for more specific identification and to understand whether the nematode is autotochtone or was brought with this new invasive Coleopteran. Further studies are necessary before this nematode can be considered as a biological control agent of the A. chinensis.