Note on a ciliate protozoon, probably Glaucoma Pyriformis, parasitic in culicine mosquito larvae

1. Stained specimens of two forms of a ciliate parasite resembling Lambornella stegomyiae Keilin which is probably Glaucoma pyriformis Ehrenberg are discussed. These were collected from the haemocoel of culicine mosquito larvae at Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia. The form previously referred to as type A (Muspratt, 1945) is the fast multiplying form which destroys the larva and that referred to as type B is considered to be either an encysting or degenerate form.2. In nature the larva of Aëdes (Finlaya) fulgens Edw. is the most suitable host of the parasite because the normal (type A) parasitic ciliates are dependent on escaping from the larval host before death by the rupture of the anal papillae. This occurs most frequently in parasitized larvae of the above species.3. The encystment of the organisms on the cuticle of the larvae is discussed with reference to statements by previous workers. Stages in the penetration of the cuticle by the organisms and the formation of cuticular resting cysts have been observed.4. Larvae of A. aegypti used in laboratory experiments proved to be unsuitable as: (a) The anal papillae do not rupture easily. (b) After some time the reproductive power of the ciliates degenerates if they are transmitted from larva to larva of this species only.5. Attempts to destroy anopheline larvae with the parasite were negative although the ciliates entered the haemocoel.6. A suggestion as to the possible life-cycle is appended in the form of a diagram.