DEVELOPMENT OF ONCHOCERCA VOLVULUS (FILARIOIDEA: ONCHOCERCIDAE) IN THE WEST AFRICAN BLACK FLY SIMULIUM YAHENSE (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) IN LIBERIA

Simulium yahense black flies infected with microfilaria of Onchocerca volvulus were kept in a defined insectary environment in Liberia, West Africa. A daily sample of infected flies was dissected for larvae developing in the thoracic muscles and examined for growth in stadial development. Microfilariae ingested by black flies transformed to the L₁ larval stage without molting. Successive larval development included molting to the L₂ stage and, finally, to the L₃ stage, which was infective in humans. The cephalic cap, consisting of a laterally located hook and central stoma, occurs in the first larval stage. The caudal appendix and the laterally located anal opening are apparent in the L₁ larva. In the L₂ stage, the cephalic cap is lost and the large circular stoma becomes surrounded with elevated flaps. The caudal appendix was lost after larvae molted to the L₃ stage, and in its place, 3 terminal papillae developed. Sense organs, such as 2 opposing phasmids and 8 papillae that were arranged into 2 circles, developed in the cephalic region of the L₃ larva. The evidence of pathological consequences due to the presence of the L₃ larva in the fly host are illustrated and discussed.