Abstract
The life cycle of Spinitectus carolini Holl, 1928, is experimentally com- pleted and the development of the larval stages described. Oviparous females release their eggs within the intestine of the definitive host fish. Eggs are voided into the water with the fishes' feces. Eggs settle to the bottom where they are eaten by insect larvae (mayfly naiads, dragonfly nymphs, stonefly larvae and larval midges). First-stage lar- vae hatch from eggs within the insect's midgut, penetrate the midgut wall and enter the hemocoel. At 20 C the 1st molt occurs within the hemocoel, 18-hr postinfection. Second-stage larvae penetrate abdominal muscles 6 days postinfection with the 2nd molt occurring 8 days postinfection. Second and 3rd-stage larvae are encapsulated within the abdominal muscles. Development of the 3rd-stage larvae continues, and it is not until 14 days postinfection that the 3rd-stage larva is infective to the definitive host. The 3rd molt occurs 2 days postinfection of the definitive host fishw eourth-stage female larvae can be distinguished from 4th-stage males in possessing a mucron. The final molt occurs 14 days postinfection of the definitive host. Ovigerous S. carolini were recovered 21 days postinfection.
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