Sexual mosaics and mermithid parasitism in Austrosimulium bancrofti (Tayl.) (Diptera, Simuliidae)

Abstract

AbstractOne gynandromorph and six intersexes of Austrosimulium bancrofti (Tayl.) are described from specimens caught in Queensland. All of the intersexes, as well as some normal flies, were infected with mermithid larvae. The infected flies rest preferentially on trees near the river's edge which would facilitate deposition of mermithids in the river. Except for a few with mature eggs, infected females had little internal abdominal structure, and most lacked ovaries.