Abstract
The eggs, preparasitic larvae, and certain adult characters of Neochordodes occidentalis (Montg.) (Chordodidae: Gordioidea) are newly described. The method of penetration of preparasitic hairworms into larvae of Culex pipiens L. was examined. The parasites bored directly through the peritrophic membrane and epithelial gut cells to reach the host's body cavity. The hairworms encysted normally in most 2nd- and 3rd-stage mosquito larvae but elicited a rapid and often lethal defense reaction in 4th-stage hosts. This reaction consisted of the deposition of melanin on the surface of the parasite. Cyst material originated from a bilobed intestinal gland in the preparasitic larva and was not considered of host origin. Findings here indicate that characters found in the preparasitic larvae could be used for distinguishing between hairworm species.
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