The Life Cycle of a Horsehair Worm, Gordius robustus (Nematomorpha: Gordioidea)

Authors

Ben Hanelt, University of New MexicoFollow
John J. Janovy Jr., University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2-1999

Comments

Published in the Journal of Parasitology (February 1999) 85(1): 139-141. Copyright 1999, the American Society of Parasitologists. Used by permission.

Abstract

Aspects of the life cycle of the nematomorph Gordius robustus were investigated. Gordius robustus larvae fed to Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) readily penetrated and subsequently encysted in the posterior portion of the midgut wall. Parasite development was then arrested in each infected beetle. Upon feeding these cysts to laboratory-reared Gryllus firmus. worm larvae developed to adults in the cricket hemocoel. In an additional experiment, G. robustus larvae fed to G. firmus did not develop to adults. These findings are in contrast to other studies that found direct infection to be an alternative mode of infection. This experiment is the first employing a laboratory-maintained stock of hosts to rear nematomorph worms.