Evaluation of predation abilities of Mylonchulus dentatus

Observation on Mylonchulus dentatus revealed that it is predaceous in nature. The prey catching and feeding mechanisms are comparable to other mononchs. Predation by M. dentatus depended on chance encounters with the prey. Predators fed by cutting the cuticle and shredding the prey into pieces. There was no set predatory pattern, Females were most active predators than the juveniles. M. dentatus prefered second-stage juveniles of Meloidoyyne incoynita, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Heterodera mothi and Anguina tritici most. All factors viz. number of prey, temperature, agar concentration, pH of the medium, test arena, starvation of predators and thickness of agar influenced predation by M. dentatus.