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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Nematode parasites of bark beetles are taxonomically diverse, and may, in some cases, cause serious pathological and behavioural changes in their hosts (Kaya 1984). Their potential as biological control agents has long been recognized, but to date there is a shortage of elementary information on host-parasite interactions. Though the effects of superparasitism and subsequent crowding on the parasite have been studied for some mermithids (Petersen 1972) and steinernematids (Sandner and Stanuszek 1971), no such observations have been reported for bark beetle parasites. During a survey of nematode parasites of bark beetles in Manitoba, we encountered two examples where nematodes were detrimentally affected at the higher infection rates observed. It was our objective, therefore, to examine the relationship between intensity of infection, and impact on growth and reproduction of the parasites.