Inhibition of molting of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, by the nematode parasite Mermis nigrescens

Abstract

The older the host (Schistocerca gregaria) at infection, the greater the burden of parasitic Mermis nigrescens required to inhibit the next-but-one molt. Mermithid parasitism caused no change in ecdysone level in the host, but did cause a decrease in fat body protein synthesis. The effect of this decrease on host molting is discussed.