[An evaluation of the possibility of using Romanomermis iyengari Welch mermithids for mosquito control in Uzbekistan].

Mermithid nematodes Romanomermis iyengari were released into 13 natural water bodies of various types at a ratio of 300-8000 invasive preparasites per 1 m2 of water surface in Tashkent region of Uzbekistan. Infected larvae of Anopheles martinius, An. hyrcanus, Culex modestus were found in 6 water bodies with low content of dissolved salts (Ca2+ + + Mg2(+)-3.8-6.7 mg equivalent/l, Cl(-)-38.3-160.2 mg/l). The infection rates of mosquito larvae were 9-67%. In laboratory tests mermithids infected up to 100% of mosquito larvae of the above-mentioned species as well as An. superpictus and Cx. pipiens from natural populations. Aedes caspius were resistant to mermithid infection. It is expected that in Tashkent region these mermithids can be used only in water bodies with low salt content.