OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE CYCLES OF DIPLOTRIAENOIDES TRANSLUCIDUS ANDERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENUS DIPLOTRIAENA

Abstract

Diplotriaenoides translucidus Anderson, 1956 from Seiurus aurocapillus L. and various species of Diplotriaena from Quiscalus quiscula (L.), Vermivora ruficapilla (Wilson), and Agelaius phoeniceus (L.) were found in the air sacs of their hosts. The eggs of D. translucidus and the Diplotriaena sp. from the grackle were found in the lungs and contents of the alimentary canal. It seems most likely that the eggs of all members of the subfamily Diplotriaeninae leave the definitive host via the lungs and faeces. Eggs of D. translucidus were fed to a variety of invertebrates. Spirurid larvae, found in the body cavities of grasshoppers (Camnula pellucida (Scudder)) that were fed eggs, are considered to belong to D. translucidus; these larvae are described. No spirurid larvae were found in ground beetles, field crickets, tenebrionids, camel crickets, ants, or land snails that were fed eggs. Similarly no spirurid larvae were found in blowflies, dung beetles, hister beetles, or earthworms that were fed eggs of the Diplotriaena sp. from Q. quiscula.